Heart-breaking tributes and eulogies today from people who knew the two firefighters that were killed in the cargo ship fire in Newark. Pat Battle reports.
What to Know
- Two firehouses are in mourning in the East Ward of Newark after two of their own perished while fighting a massive fire that broke out aboard a cargo ship in Port Newark Wednesday night -- and continues to burn more than 36 hours after it broke out.
- Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks Jr., 49, had a spark that drew people in, but now their deaths have the City of Newark in deep mourning.
- "I just can't imagine what they were going through when they were lost and not able to come out," Newark Fire Dept. Capt. Jose Alves said.
Two firehouses are in mourning in the East Ward of Newark after two of their own perished while fighting a massive fire that broke out aboard a cargo ship in Port Newark Wednesday night -- and continues to burn for more than 36 hours.
Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks Jr., 49, had a spark that drew people in, but now their deaths have the City of Newark in deep mourning.
"This is like the ultimate, ultimate sacrifice," Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said.
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Firefighters draped mourning bunting outside the East Ward firehouses where Acabou and Brooks worked: Engine 16 on Ferry Street and Ladder 9 on Elm Street.
Acabou worked in Engine 16 for 10 years, where he was known as the firefighter who was destined to become captain. Brooks was with Ladder 9, where he had even more experience in the fire department.
"It's a tough loss for the community," Jason Torres, who manages a restaurant across the street from Ladder 9, said.
News
Torres saw Brooks, who everyone on the block lovingly called "Bear" on that same day Wednesday. The weight of the loss has not yet settled in, he said.
"It was always, 'Hey, good morning. How you doing?'" Torres said. "Very good guy."
Mayor Ras Baraka and other city dignitaries were seen at Acabou's Newark home to express their condolences and console his family, while his neighbors were still in shock.
"I feel sorry that he passed away trying to help in an emergency," John Alarcon said.
Funeral arrangements were announced Friday, with plans to lay Acabou and Brooks to rest scheduled for the following week at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Ridge Street in Newark.
Arrangements Acabou:
- July 12, 2023 - Viewing - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- July 13, 2023 - Funeral - 10 a.m.
Arrangements Brooks:
- July 13, 2023 - Viewing - 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- July 14, 2023 - Funeral - 10 a.m.
'TAKEN AWAY FROM US WAY TOO SOON': FAMILIES, FIRE CREWS DEVASTATED OVER LOSS
The double loss has Newark firefighters reeling -- trying to process what happened.
"I just can't imagine what they were going through when they were lost and not able to come out," Newark Fire Dept. Capt. Jose Alves said.
The Newark Firefighters Union held a press conference Friday alongside family, friends and loved ones of Acabou and Brooks.
"We are a very close family...so I look at Wayne not just like my nephew, but he is like my son," Brooks's uncle Rodger Terry said during the emotional press conference. "It's been a very, very difficult day or so. No one has had much sleep. And together as a family we will try to make it through this terrible time."
Brooks' uncle went on to share how "Wayne wanted to be a firefighter all of his life," being first in his firefighter class and a tremendous athlete who was one of the top fencers in the state when he graduated from St. Benedict's Prep in Newark.
"A real-life superman -- an individual who cared about all kinds of people," Terry said of Brooks, adding through a quavering voice: "Our hearts are broken...Please, I ask everyone out there to continue to pray for the families of these two young men. We need a lot of prayer and uplifting."
Firefighter Michael Johnson, of Ladder 4, shared similar sentiments calling Brooks by his nickname.
"'Bear' was an amazing person," Johnson said through tears. "A great leader, great friend, great brother. Loved his family. Loved his job. It's a very tough time...he'll never be forgotten. He's touched everyone's lives."
Johnson went on to describe how much Brooks loved his wife, kids and job "more than anything."
Meanwhile, an emotional Capt. Greg Meehan, of Ladder 4, called Brooks "one of my guys."
"His name will be on our minds for the rest of our lives," he said. "There is not going to be a day when we will not remember "Bear." He is one of a kind. As far as Auggie, you are going to hear time and time again: upbeat, motivated, just a great individual. They were just taken away from us way too soon."
Carlos Henriques, Acabou's cousin, shared a statement from the Acabou family.
"In our grief, it is difficult to describe how deeply we love Auggie. He is our world and his untimely passing has left an unfathomable absence in our home," Henriques said. "Auggie's sense of honor was unparalleled...everything he did was about helping others -- going above and beyond for those in need."
Please, I ask everyone out there to continue to pray for the families of these two young men. We need a lot of prayer and uplifting.
Rodger Terry, Firefighter Wayne Brooks Jr.'s uncle
Henriques went on to say how Acabou maintained a special bond with a high school mentor -- an assistant football coach -- who was battling cancer, running errands and providing support for him. The family only learned about this selfless act this week.
"That was just the kind of person he was," Henriques said. "Someone who treated you like family...He was our hero."
Newark Firefighters Union Vice President Eddie Paulo, who grew up with Acabou, said that he "was tough as nails and sweet beyond belief."
Michael Giunta, president of the Newark Firefighters Union, went on to also say that just like Brooks, Acabou was very dedicated to his family -- a dedicated brother, uncle, and son who lived in the same house as his mother and father.
Paulo also stressed Acabou's love of family and friends.
"Auggie was all about the family," Paulo said. "Auggie, you could find him at any family cookout, any family affair. He would do everything he can to attend. Auggie was an amazing friend, an amazing colleague. The guy that walked away from any drama. That guy that brought a light to any somber moment."
Giunta extended gratitude to everyone who reached out to express their condolences from across the country and the world, including President Joe Biden, who Giunta said called the families of the fallen firefighters.
The tragedy has also prompted flags across New Jersey to be flown at half-staff in honor of Brooks and Acabou.
INFERNO RIPS THROUGH CARGO SHIP, CONTINUES BURNING FOR MORE THAN 36 HOURS
Firefighters from Newark were dispatched to the docked vessel around 9:30 p.m. for a report of multiple vehicles on fire on board one of the cargo ships at the port, Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé said.
The fire was visible from some distance away as smoke billowed up from the ship that has the capacity to hold around 5,000 cars.
According to Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson, the fire was found on the 10th floor of the ship where five or seven vehicles were fully engulfed. It quickly extended to the 11th and 12th floors.
Firefighters initially made an attempt to extinguish the fire but because of the intense heat, they were pushed back out of the area. It was at this time that two firefighters became lost while backing out, Rufus said.
Searches were subsequently made to find the two firefighters but the rest of the unit were unable to do so.
The fire became so intense that numerous rescue companies were called to assist, Rufus said during a press conference. He added that several specialized rescue companies throughout New Jersey and the state of New York had assisted with primary and secondary searches to try to locate the unaccounted-for firefighters, which were eventually found and removed from the structure.
"I just want the world to know that we just lost two of our best here in the city of Newark," Baraka said hours after the fire during a press conference to update the public on the matter. "Two of our bravest here in this city who without hesitation gave their lives and probably that morning didn't think they'd be fighting the fire on a ship of five thousand cars. Something they had not trained for. And would not return home that evening."
The fire is still burning as of Friday morning as thick black smoke was seen billowing from the structure -- more than 36 hours since the massive fire was first reported on Wednesday night.
In a Friday press conference, officials said it was hard to estimate when the massive fire would be extinguished but that it "could burn for a couple more days." As of Friday, the teams working the fire are trying to cool the grand steel vessel and stabilize it as putting out a fire on a ship is an arduous task, they've said.
At this point, the vessel is stable, although there have been signs of it tipping, and teams are trying to pump some of the water out.
Additionally, because the fire has been burning for so long, air quality monitoring is also ongoing.
Another concern brought on by this deadly fire is the commercial impact on the Port of Newark, the largest on the East Coast and the second largest in the country. Certain ships cannot enter the channel now because of the cargo ship on fire and the ongoing efforts to extinguish the flames.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
