Two firefighters have been killed while battling a massive blaze on a container ship docked at Port Newark, New Jersey, according to a report.
The fire broke out on the massive Grande Coaster Eadoirio around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and continued to burn early Thursday.
The two firefighters were trapped and reported missing as flames overwhelmed the ship.
“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 said according to ABC 7 NY.
The identities of the two fallen firefighters were not immediately known.
The entire crew of the ship, which contained about 5,000 cars, was accounted for.
“USCG responding to vessel fire in Newark, NJ. Vessell is roll on/roll off vehicle cargo ship. Multiple vehicles reported to have caught fire, all crew accounted for,” the Coast Guard’s Northeastern division posted on Twitter.
The Port Authority announced the Port Newark Container Terminal would not open until at least 8 a.m. due to police and fire activity in the area.
This is a developing story
