Two New Jersey firefighters were killed in an overnight fire on a cargo ship, according to multiple reports.
The two Newark firefighters were missing before they were confirmed dead in the fire that started at about 9:30 p.m. local time Wednesday at a ship docked on the Newark Bay, CBS New York reported.
“I saw acts of bravery and comradery today that are unparalleled. And it’s very, very, very traumatic for all of us,” Mayor Ras Baraka said, according to CBS.
After responding to the scene, firefighters attempted to tried to extinguish the fire but were pushed back by extreme heat, Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson told local outlet ABC7.
“Two firefighters were lost while conducting this action of backing out of the structure,” Jackson said, per ABC7.
Baraka told media there were roughly 5,000 vehicles on board the ship, called the Grande Coaster Eadoirio.
Fire departments from throughout the region offered condolences to Newark.
“Yesterday, two firemen left their homes and families to begin their tour, protecting the people of the city of Newark,” the Newton Fire Department posted. “Unfortunately those firemen were not able to make it back to the end of the tour and back home to their families.”
Contributing: Jay Cannon, USA TODAY
NorthJersey.com
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