New Jersey
Fire that killed 2 firefighters, injured 5 more still burning on Port Newark cargo ship in NJ
PORT NEWARK, N.J. — The fire on a cargo ship at Port Newark that killed two firefighters over 30 hours prior continued to burn Friday morning.
The firefighting efforts were being prolonged by vehicle gas tanks that continue to explode, adding literal fuel to the fire.
Newark’s fire chief said his department did not have adequate training or equipment to deal with the flames, and that dealing with cars filled with gas on a cargo ship is extremely difficult.
The two firefighters were killed after they became trapped while fighting the blaze Wednesday night.
The fire broke out around 9:30 p.m. at Export Street and Marsh Street in Newark.
Newark firefighters were dispatched to the location following a report of multiple vehicles on fire on a ship at Port Newark.
The fire started on the 10th deck as crew members and local stevedores were moving cars, vans and trucks.
Upon arrival, firefighters located the fire, which broke out in five to seven cars and spread to the 11th and 12th floors of the ship, named the Grande Costa D’Avorio.
“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.
The firefighters were eventually located inside the large ship and pronounced dead.
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Those victims were identified as Augusto “Augie” Acabou, 45, and Wayne “Bears” Brooks Jr., 49.
Acabou was a nine-year veteran of the of the Newark Fire Department and was assigned to Engine 16.
Brooks served for 16.5 years and was assigned to Ladder 4.
The last time a Newark firefighter was killed was 2007 in a motorcycle crash.
The mayor vividly described the bodies lowered from a pulley while firefighters lined up on both sides to pay respects.
“That image will forever be stamped in my mind for how dangerous this job is,” Mayor Ras Baraka said.
Newark Fire Chief Jackson said Newark firefighters had been trained to fight fires on cruise ships and other vessels that contain living quarters, but not one that carried vehicles.
“This was definitely a unique fire for us,” Jackson said.
Jackson said five firefighters were injured while battling the flames.
Three of those victims were members of the Newark Fire Department, and two from the Elizabeth Fire Department. They were transported to University Hospital in Newark for treatment.
The ship was carrying thousands of vehicles.
No electric cars or hazardous cargo were on the ship. The ship is not spilling fuel or in danger of sinking.
This ship generally operates between the U.S. and West Africa. It carries more than 1,200 new and used vehicles and 157 containers.
During the press conference, Mayor Baraka said the city will be having “a long conversation” with the Port Authority about firefighting at the agency’s locations.
“That’s a long conversation that we’re going to have from now until we get some real resolution to what needs to be done as we move forward,” he said. “This is a fire that took place on Port Authority property. They call us when there are big structural fires, we come out to assist them in extinguishing these fires. Obviously, this became an issue where they just didn’t have the capacity at all to deal with what was going on, so we had to take full control.”
Following the news of the fire, Gov. Phil Murphy released a statement saying: “Our hearts are heavy today as we mourn the loss of two Newark firefighters, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Tammy and I extend our deepest condolences to their families and loved ones, and we pray that those injured have a full and speedy recovery. This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers our firefighters face and their remarkable courage.”
The Grimaldi Group also released a statement saying, “The Italian-flag vessel was completing the loading operations of various rolling units (cars, vans, trucks) when the fire started at deck n 10 which was attended by local stevedores and crew members. The crew of the vessel immediately activated the on-board fire suppression procedures while the local firefighting service were alerted, and their prompt response played a crucial role in containing and bringing the fire under control. Sadly, during the firefighting operations, Grimaldi Deep Sea were informed that two firefighters lost their lives. All Company’s thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with their families and team currently. At this time, it is not known how the fire started but the Company will undertake a full investigation in close cooperation with all relevant authorities.”
New Jersey
Hudson River Rivalry Matinee Matchup | PREVIEW | New Jersey Devils
New Jersey host the NY Rangers at Prudential Center for the first time this season.
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New Jersey
New Jersey hit by seafood recall for norovirus outbreak
🐟 Food & Drug Administration issues recall alert for norovirus
🐟 15 states impacted including New Jersey
🐟 Norovirus spreads easily and quickly
Federal authorities are warning of potentially contaminated seafood sold by a California company to several states including New Jersey.
The alert of a norovirus outbreak was issued by S&M Shellfish Co. of San Francisco on Thursday, according to the Food and Drug Administration.
It affects oysters harvested in British Columbia, Canada by Pacific Northwest Shellfish and Union Bay Seafood.
The oysters were distributed to restaurants and retailers under several brand names.
The brands include Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi.
Oysters sold as these brands harvested between Dec. 1 and Dec. 9 should be thrown away. They are potentially contaminated with norovirus.
These oysters were also sold in the neighboring states of Pennsylvania and New York, the FDA said.
Are you sick from norovirus?
People who eat food contaminated with norovirus will usually know within 12 to 48 hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Where to enjoy the Feast of the Seven Fishes in New Jersey
Symptoms aren’t subtle; they will often include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. Fever, headache, and body aches are also possible.
The combination of diarrhea and vomiting can leave people severely dehydrated, especially young children, older adults, and those with other illnesses.
Most people sick with norovirus will recover within a few days. However, they should be careful around others because they can continue to spread the virus for another few days.
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New Jersey
‘Weekend Update’: Bowen Yang Returns As Unfairly Besieged Inanimate Object — This Time A Drone Flying Above New Jersey
In a return to form, Saturday Night Live‘s “Weekend Update” featured Bowen Yang as another aggrieved inanimate object standing up for themselves (hat tip to previous performances as the Titanic iceberg and viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng).
During this week’s final episode of the year, with host Martin Short and musical guest Hozier, Yang portrayed a besieged and mysterious drone flying over New Jersey. Introduced by co-host Michael Che, Yang began without missing a beat, “Hey, wow, indoors — this is different.”
When asked by Che “what” he was exactly, Yang answered: “OK, no, we’re not gonna do that. See, I know what I am, and I don’t have to explain myself to anyone at any time for any reason.”
He continued, justifying his actions flying high in the sky for no discernible reason: “All y’all hate me ’cause I’m up. Everybody’s like, ‘Is it a UFO, is it military, is it promo for SNL 50?’ Meanwhile, I’m just minding my business, hovering over people’s homes, maybe filming them. Also, what is so threatening about random machines in the night sky? God, it’s like y’all have never been to Afghanistan before.”
As Che relayed that the government has said the drones are probably “manned,” Yang quipped: “What’s this obsession with whether I’m ‘manned’ or not? For the record, I can get a man whenever I want. Trust me, there’s no problem there.”
He conceded, however, that he does have a boo: “I’m dating the helicopter from Succession, if you must know.”
In a rousing end, Yang as the drone broke out into song, mirroring the lyrics to Elphaba’s “Defying Gravity,” belting out that nobody is “ever gonna bring me down.” (Yang was a prominent cast member in this year’s blockbuster Wicked: Part One, opposite Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who portrayed Elphaba.)
“For what be a drone but a mirror to society — and potentially a killing machine?” he posited.
Outside of Yang’s appearance, co-hosts Colin Jost and Che rattled through a few timely jokes, including about alleged UnitedHealthcare shooter Luigi Mangione‘s recent arrival to New York City, which drew loud cheers from the audience. Jost joked that the cheers were for “justice” and that, relatedly, “Bumble exploded” upon his return to the city.
Also, Che and Jost participated in their tradition of joke-swapping, during which Jost was forced to talk in a “Black voice” and poke fun at wife and actress Scarlett Johansson. Meanwhile, Che was forced to joke about being present at Sean Combs’ parties and comment on the rape allegations facing Jay-Z.
See “Weekend Update” below:
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