firefighters are still working to put out an intense fire that started Wednesday night on a cargo ship in Newark and that took the lives of two of newark's finest and bravest firefighters Augusto akabu and Wayne Brooks Jr were trapped in the blaze that started on the 10th floor of the cargo ship which was loaded with cars many of them filled with gas and exploding into flames the fire spread down two floors and about 300 feet back injuring five other firefighters in the process and while fire teams continue to valiantly fight This ferocious Blaze family members of akabu and Brooks spoke to Melissa Rose Cooper today about their real-life Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of others Wayne Brooks Jr no longer able to hold back the tears from the pain of losing their loved one Brooks a longtime firefighter of the Newark fire department was one of two First Responders killed while battling a fire on board this cargo ship important to work his family says being a firefighter was something he wanted to do his whole life a real life Superman you know the individual cared about all kinds of people he could have had any job that he wanted in this region but he picked being a firefighter because he like working with people and helping people the fire also claiming the life of fellow firefighter Augusto akubu his cousin sharing a few favorite memories oh you had a special way of reminding us of his love whether it was his big hugs before he left for work or simple I love you all poggy always made sure we felt his affection and how great fit is difficult to describe how deeply we love all of you he is our world and his untimely passing has left an unfathomable unfathomable absence in our home they were dedicated perfect servants would combine 25 years for the Newark Fire Department there were colleagues our friends and our brother the fire started Wednesday night around 9 30 on this ship as hundreds of vehicles were being loaded onto the vessel for transport overseas officials say the crew immediately activated the onboard fire suppression procedure which included the Newark Fire Department responding to the scene thank you for the question actually a part of what we do as far as the Coast Guard and a federal entity we have a fire task force that is a part of a New Jersey Fire task force and they actually come together and we train with them on the regular basis so while we Newark fire department was the first people on scene being that they were closest you also know there were other fire departments that also deployed and was a part of this response union leaders have said firefighters arriving on scene did not have the appropriate hoses to handle such a big fire but the Coast Guard officials say it's something that's still being investigated President Biden Carl both families to show his supports and Governor Murphy expressed his deepest condolences for the lives lost and gave well wishes for the six firefighters injured pray that each of them makes a swift recovery and our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of Augusto Augie akabu and Wayne bear Brooks Jr who lost their lives we all feel the loss of these two long time Veterans of the Newark fire department and I have ordered Flags today to be lowered to half staff across the state in their honor the fire has now been burning for more than 36 hours and officials saying because every ship fire is unique it's posing some challenges putting it out they're constantly changing every single one's different you can do all the training in the world and you're going to find something you've never seen before on a shipboard fire so access is tough the heat is Extreme it's a steel box so it's very complex situation and you need a very good plan to be able to put firefighters in the vessel to actually put out these fires that is burning very hot So currently a lot of the Decks that are burning and the cars that are burning are inaccessible to our fire teams so the best situation is to cool the vessel from the perimeter using the fire boats and using hoses from onshore and to try to keep the fire from spreading officials don't Yen have a time frame on when they'll be able to finally put out the fire but once it's done they say they'll be able to fully investigate how it started and what can be done to prevent something like this from happening again funeral services for both Brooks and akabu are expected to take place next week friends and families say their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten for NJ Spotlight news I'm Melissa Rose Cooper [Music]