Cargo ship fire in Newark expected to continue burning for days; 2 firefighters who died sent maydays from within vessel

A cargo vessel that caught fire at the Port of Newark in New Jersey Wednesday is expected to continue burning for days, officials said Friday, as WABC-TV reported.

Two firefighters trapped while fighting the blaze aboard the Grande Costa D’Avorio were killed Wednesday and six others were injured, CNN reported.

"Members made an attempt to extinguish the fire but got pushed back by the intense heat. Two firefighters were lost while conducting this action of backing out of the structure," Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson told the outlet.

Newark firefighters Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks Jr., 49 were killed, authorities said. Acabou was a nine-year veteran of the Newark Fire Department. Brooks had served for more than 16 years, WABC reported.

Firefighters went to the 10th or 11th floor of the nearly 700-foot-long ship to battle the blaze Wednesday, Chief Jackson also said.

The ship is carrying more than 1,200 new and used vehicles and 157 containers, according to WABC.

The massive fire "could burn for a couple more days," officials said at a press conference Friday, as WNBC reported.

"It is clear we are dealing with an extremely difficult set of circumstances aboard a very large cargo ship," New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) said at a press conference Friday.

"Unfortunately, the fire has spread significantly. Overnight, it went down two floors of the ship, from the ninth level to the seventh, and extended roughly 300 feet forward," Murphy also said, adding that there are multiple firefighters on the ship itself who have been privately contracted by the ship's owner.

"The issue of the ship listing is a growing concern. It is currently listing 3° toward the dock. A 5°-6° shift is the danger zone."

"New Jersey State Police extend our deepest sympathies to the Newark Fire Department and to the family members on the loss of Firefighter Augusto Acabou and Firefighter Wayne Brooks, Jr. FFs Acabou and Brooks paid the ultimate sacrifice and we salute you. Rest in peace, sirs," the New Jersey State Police tweeted Friday.

The Newark Firefighters Union launched a fundraising effort to support the families of Augusto "Augie" Acabou and Wayne "Bear" Brooks Jr. As of Saturday morning, the GoFundMe campaign had reached $60,543 of its $100,000 goal.

Watch coverage from WABC-TV below of the cargo ship fire in Port Newark that killed two firefighters and is expected to continue burning for days.