Through sobs, cargo ship officer says crew is 'broken' over deaths of 2 firefighters in blaze

A top officer of an Italian cargo ship that caught fire last summer in one of America’s busiest seaports broke down in sobs recalling his crew’s initial efforts to put out the blaze

UNION, N.J. -- A top officer of an Italian cargo ship that caught fire last summer in one of America's busiest seaports broke down in sobs Thursday recalling his crew's initial efforts to put out the blaze, saying they “are broken” that two New Jersey fire captains lost their lives battling the blaze.

Benito LaFauci, the chief mate of the Grande Costa D'Avorio, testified at a hearing before the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board into the cause of the July 5 fire that killed Newark Fire Department Captains Augusto “Augie” Acabou and Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr.

The ship is owned by the Grimaldi Group and was being loaded with 1,200 vehicles bound for foreign markets at Port Newark when the blaze broke out.

LaFauci detailed the crew's efforts to fight the blaze immediately after it broke out, including the use of handheld fire extinguishers, the connection of a firefighting hose to a water delivery system, and the activation of a carbon dioxide fire suppression system. LaFauci then asked to address the firefighter's families directly.

“I'd like to say from myself, Grimaldi and my crew: We are broken that two brave firefighters lost their lives on board,” LaFauci said as he broke down in tears, burying his face in his hands as sobs wracked his body.