A funeral was held today at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart for fallen Newark (NJ) Firefighter Augusto “Augie” Acabou, who was killed in the line of duty with fellow firefighter Wayne Brooks Jr. in a fire last week.
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 Acabou and Firefighter Wayne “Bears” Brooks, Jr. became lost and disorientated in the smoke. A Mayday was declared, and both Firefighter Acabou and Firefighters Brooks were found and rescued, but later pronounced deceased.
