A fire broke out on the 10th floor of a cargo ship docked at Corbin and Marsh streets at around 9:30 p.m. (local time) on 5 July in Port Newark in the United States.
There have been two fatalities and six injuries sustained due to responding to the fire aboard the vessel.
Firefighting crews worked to extinguish the fire, both from the pier, and from waterside, while crew members worked to gain access to the upper decks of the Grande Costa D’Avorio, which is believed to be the primary source of the ongoing fire.
The vessel was completing cargo operations of loading automobiles onto the vessel when the fire began. The crew of the vessel immediately activated the onboard fire suppression procedures while the local fire department was alerted.
The vessel is reportedly carrying 1,200 vehicles and 157 containers that were scheduled to be exported. There are reportedly no electric vehicles or hazardous cargo aboard.
The United States Coast Guard reported that the cause of the fire is under investigation, while a formal investigation will be conducted to identify what caused the fire.
Capt. Zeita Merchant, Captain of the Port of New York and Jersey, said, “We continue to work closely with our partner agencies and neighboring jurisdictions. Together, we are pooling our resources, expertise, and equipment to enhance the safety of all responders and maximize the effectiveness of our response efforts.”
Multiple firefighters/emergency personnel have been dispatched to the Newark port in New Jersey in response to a ship fire. Several firefighters are presently unaccounted for. This ship is the @GrimaldiLines Grande Costa D’Avorio which left @portofbalt on July 2nd. #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/DaGlepmn0m
— That Guy Shane (@ProfanityNewz) July 6, 2023
