Ignition of gasoline vapors believed cause in Mattapoisett Boatyard fire, officials say

MATTAPOISETT, Mass. (WLNE) — Fire officials said a massive boatyard fire in Mattapoisett Friday was like started by ignition of gasoline vapors.

In a joint release, State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey and Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray said employees were working to a replace a boat’s gas tank when it’s believed vapors ignited the blaze.

Fire officials said the fire started inside a building on Ned’s Point Road and was fueled by 25-mile per hour winds coming off that water that helped the fire spread to neighboring buildings and boats.

Three firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion and have since been released.

A worker was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with severe burns and a broken leg.

In a post to Facebook, Mattapoisett Boatyard identified the injured worker as Phil Macomber, adding that he is expected to survive, but has a long road to recovery.

A GoFundMe page has been established and to date has raised more than $130,000.

“Our hearts go out to the worker who was badly injured during last week’s fire and the family business that’s been a part of our community for 60 years,” said Murray. “On behalf of the Town of Mattapoisett, I also want to recognize the efforts of our firefighters and our brother and sister firefighters and chiefs from across the region who rushed in to help. They defied the danger of a massive, wind-driven fire to prevent it from spreading further into the community and putting more people at risk.”

In total, six buildings, 47 vehicles and 14 boats were destroyed in the six-alarm blaze.

More than 100 firefighters responded and crews were able to put out the fire in about four and half hours.

No surrounding homes or structures were damaged in the fire.