Fatal Port Newark ship fire caused by improper vehicle use and training gaps, feds find

A federal investigation into a deadly cargo ship fire at Port Newark found that a modified Jeep used to push vehicles aboard the vessel ignited after overheating — and that and a series of safety failures, including insufficient training, contributed to the deaths of two Newark firefighters.

The National Transportation Safety Board identified the “probable cause” of the July 2023 fire as Ports America’s use of a retrofitted passenger vehicle in an industrial setting. The vehicle’s transmission fluid boiled over and ignited on a hot engine surface as workers loaded used cars onto the Grande Costa D’Avorio ship, the report said.

The Jeep was owned by Ports America and operated by a shoreside worker provided by American Maritime Services, which did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Ports America said the company continues to cooperate fully with the federal investigation and emphasized that its operations at Port Newark complied with all regulations and tariffs in place at the time of the fire. The company extended condolences to the families of the two firefighters and said it remains committed to safety across its operations.

The fire broke out on the evening of July 5, 2023, as crew members were loading vehicles onto the vessel docked at Berth 18 in Port Newark, according to the report. The flames quickly spread through several enclosed garage decks. The vessel’s crew tried and failed to suppress the blaze with portable extinguishers and a fixed carbon dioxide system, which couldn’t fully deploy because a fire boundary door could not be closed.

Two Newark firefighters, Wayne Brooks Jr., 49, and Augusto “Augie” Acabou, 45, became disoriented in the thick smoke and were unable to find their way out. Search and rescue teams later found both men unresponsive and trapped between vehicles. Six other emergency responders were injured.

The fire burned for five days and caused more than $23 million in damage to the ship.

In addition to faulting the Jeep’s misuse, the NTSB report also cited the Newark Fire Division’s lack of marine vessel firefighting training, calling the agency’s response ineffective and a factor in the firefighter deaths. It also noted that critical safety features — including exterior controls for closing garage doors — were missing from the ship, which prevented proper containment of the fire.

“I’d like to take a moment to address the families: On behalf of the entire board, please accept our heartfelt sympathies for the loss of your loved ones,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a public meeting in April. “Please know that this is not the conclusion of our work to improve safety in marine operations and for firefighting training and safety. This is just the beginning.”

The agency issued new safety recommendations to nine entities, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Newark Fire Division, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Ports America and American Maritime Services. It also urged ship owner Grimaldi Deep Sea to ensure fire boundary doors on all its vessels can be operated from outside protected spaces.

A Port Authority spokesperson said in a statement that the agency appreciates "the NTSB’s thorough review of the tragedy aboard the Grande Costa D’Avorio, including a finding that the fire was caused by operation of illegal handling equipment – equipment which is also prohibited under the Port Authority tariff.”

The spokesperson, Steve Burns, added that the Port Authority has been "collaborating with first responders in the seaport’s surrounding communities for over a decade on maritime trainings, orientations and exercises and look forward to continuing our efforts together.”

The Newark Fire Division did not immediately responded to requests for comment.

Homendy said she has seen “some movement” from the involved parties toward improving safety but added, “We need more to save lives.”

This story has been updated with comment from the Port Authority and Ports America.