What happened to Wayne Brooks and Augusto Acabou? Tributes pour in as Newark firefighters killed in a cargo ship

On Wednesday, July 5, Newark firefighters Wayne Brooks and Augusto Acabou were killed in a fire on a cargo ship. As the fire raged on for two days, Brooks and Acabou were part of a team trying to suppress the flames, ensuring that they did not spread across the Newark port. The firefighters got trapped inside the cargo ship and were eventually reported missing, before officials later confirmed that they were dead.Trigger warning: This article concerns a fatal fire, the reader's discretion is advisedCity of Newark@CityofNewarkNJWe are saddened to announce the passing of two Newark Firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr., who each died while fighting a fire at Port Newark that began July 5 and continued into July 6.Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of the fallen.25194We are saddened to announce the passing of two Newark Firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr., who each died while fighting a fire at Port Newark that began July 5 and continued into July 6.Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of the fallen. https://t.co/R5FVWyeNSKAccording to the Newark fire department, the cargo ship in the incident contained over 5000 cars. The blaze is under investigation, and officials have not yet confirmed the cause. The possibility of foul play has not been mentioned by local authorities. In the wake of the incident, many politicians and public officials across the country paid tribute to the deceased firefighters.Wayne Brooks and Augusto Acabou were among the first firefighters to enter the shipThe initial reports of the recent disaster in Newark were reported at 9:30 pm. The cargo ship, the Grand Coaster Eadoirio, contained multiple vehicles which caught fire. Due to the massive size of the ship, the firefighters had difficulty entering the vessel and suppressing the flames.Governor Phil Murphy@GovMurphyThis afternoon I received a briefing from emergency response officials on last night’s fire aboard a cargo ship at the Port Newark Container Terminal.Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of two brave Newark firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr., of Engine 16.15333This afternoon I received a briefing from emergency response officials on last night’s fire aboard a cargo ship at the Port Newark Container Terminal.Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of two brave Newark firefighters, Augusto Acabou and Wayne Brooks, Jr., of Engine 16. https://t.co/n9n8whZF9dIn an interview with ABC 7 NY, Newark Fire Chief Rufus Jackson said that Wayne Brooks and Augusto Acabou were among the first firefighters to enter the ship. However, when the responders saw the scale of the fire, they had to call in for support from other fire rescue teams. Eventually, Wayne Brooks and Augusto Acabou were trapped, and their colleagues informed dispatch that they were missing.Michael V. Meyers@BC9MVMSending out Thoughts &amp; prayers to the families &amp; members of Newark Fire Dept, after the LODD’s of FF Wayne Brooks &amp; FF Augusto Acabou, while trying to extinguish blaze on a cargo ship in the Port of Newark. Heaven gained to heroes: Rest in Peace Brothers.17241Sending out Thoughts &amp; prayers to the families &amp; members of Newark Fire Dept, after the LODD’s of FF Wayne Brooks &amp; FF Augusto Acabou, while trying to extinguish blaze on a cargo ship in the Port of Newark. Heaven gained to heroes: Rest in Peace Brothers. https://t.co/FOoglkOWw3Newark Mayor Ras Baraka commented on the loss of the two firefighters.“It’s a very huge structure that these guys had to breach. In the process, we had two calls for two maydays and we had a response from fire service companies all over the state who came here to help us look for lost fire guys from the city of Newark who unfortunately didn’t make it,” Mayor Baraka said.Newark fire chief Rufus Jackson said that at one point, the responders had to back away from the fire. Wayne Brooks and Augusto Acabou went missing during this phase of the operation.Dept. Public Safety@NewarkNJPoliceMayor Baraka, Public Safety Director Fragé, and Fire Chief Jackson announce the passing of Newark Firefighters, Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks, Jr., 49, who each died fighting a 2-alarm fire at Port Newark that began 7-5-23and continued into 7-6-23. #restinpeace163Mayor Baraka, Public Safety Director Fragé, and Fire Chief Jackson announce the passing of Newark Firefighters, Augusto Acabou, 45, and Wayne Brooks, Jr., 49, who each died fighting a 2-alarm fire at Port Newark that began 7-5-23and continued into 7-6-23. #restinpeace https://t.co/LtLlwzLqENFire chief Jackson said:“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.&quot;Boston Fire Dept.@BostonFireOur thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the 2 Newark NJ Firefighters who were killed in the Line of Duty. Firefighters Wayne Brooks Jr. and Augusto Acabou , may they Rest in Peace and Never be Forgotten.13715Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the 2 Newark NJ Firefighters who were killed in the Line of Duty. Firefighters Wayne Brooks Jr. and Augusto Acabou , may they Rest in Peace and Never be Forgotten. https://t.co/ZbKqtowfNEChief Jackson said there were various factors that led to the tragic deaths of Wayne Brooks and Augusto Aucabo. He said that teams were not used to responding to fires on cargo vessels.Toledo Fire &amp; Rescue@ToledoFireOur deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the Newark (NJ) Fire Dept &amp; the family of Firefighters Augusto Acabou &amp; Wayne Brooks Jr who died in the line of duty, July 5, 2023 while fighting a cargo ship fire docked at Port Newark. Rest In Peace Heroes. Godspeed. #neverforget216Our deepest sympathies and prayers go out to the Newark (NJ) Fire Dept &amp; the family of Firefighters Augusto Acabou &amp; Wayne Brooks Jr who died in the line of duty, July 5, 2023 while fighting a cargo ship fire docked at Port Newark. Rest In Peace Heroes. Godspeed. #neverforget https://t.co/LpkIJjJjpbTypically, in case of port fires, teams deal with yachts or residential ships. Chief Jackson added that many experienced firefighters have retired and that the new teams have yet to be trained for large-scale disasters. As of July 7, the cause of the fire remains unknown.

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