United States Fire Administration
10 July 2023
The United States Fire Administration has announced the death of Firefighter Augusto Acabou, 45, of the Newark Fire Department on 5 July 2023.
At approximately 9:23 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, members of the Newark Fire Department responded to a fire on the Grande Costa D’Avorio Cargo Ship that was docked at Port Newark, New Jersey. Firefighters were fighting the fire on the 10th, 11th, and 12th decks. They made an attempt to extinguish the fire but got pushed back by the intense heat. As they backed out, Firefighter Augusto Acabou and Firefighter Wayne “Bears” Brooks, Jr. became lost and disorientated in the smoke. A mayday was called and a search effort was launched.
They were rescued and immediately rushed to the hospital. Both Firefighter Acabou and Firefighter Brooks were pronounced deceased shortly after arrival. Five firefighters were also injured during this incident. Mutual aid was provided by the New Jersey Urban Search and Rescue, New Jersey Urban Area Security Initiative, the U.S. Coast Guard, FDNY, and numerous other departments. The entire crew of the ship were accounted for.
Age: 45
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Career
Incident date: July 5, 2023 9:23 p.m.
Date of death: July 5, 2023
Cause of fatal injury: Lost
Nature of fatal injury: Trauma
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Industry
The number of on-duty deaths for 2023 currently is 41.
Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2023.
Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.
For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”
Data Not Drama 