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Video: New footage of cargo ship blast that injured 8 Fla. FFs

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said several of the firefighters will be off of work for a long time due to their injuries

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By Laura French

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new video released on Sunday shows the explosion on a cargo ship that injured eight Florida firefighters last Thursday.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) was responding to a fire on the 15-level cargo ship loaded with approximately 2,400 salvage vehicles last week when the blast occurred, causing eight firefighters to suffer injuries including serious burns. A ninth JFRD firefighter was also treated for heat exhaustion prior to the blast.

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Jacksonville Association of Fire Fighters President Randy Wyse said Friday that firefighters were recovering from their injuries and that it was fortunate that no lives were lost in the explosion

JFRD Chief Keith Powers also said Friday that six of the firefighters were expected to be released that day from the hospital, but that about four or five of them had severe burns, some to their hands, and that “they’re going to be out a long time,” according to News 4 Jax.

The department tweeted on Sunday morning that the cargo ship blaze is under control and contained but still burning due to access issues.