Investigation continues into two alarm fire that ripped through popular Wakefield restaurant

WAKEFIELD, R.I. (WLNE) — Fire crews were called to Matunuck Oyster Bar on Succotash Road just before 4 a.m. Tuesday.

When firefighters arrived at approximately 3:52 a.m., there were large flames and billowing smoke coming from the restaurant.

Union Fire District of South Kingstown Chief Steve Pinch said crews were able to get the fire out, but winds initially presented a challenge in the 90 minute knock down effort.

“It was a little windy, made things a little difficult,” said Chief Pinch.

“We do obviously feel bad, sorry for their loss.”

The state fire marshal is still investigating how the fire started.

There was no one inside the building at the time of the fire and no firefighters were injured during the operation.

Chief Pinch said that the building might be a total loss, but can’t confirm its status yet.

“There is significant damage to the building,” Chief Pinch said.

“It’s still standing, but between the water, fire and smoke damage, the structural problems are significant.”

Mutual aid for the effort was provided by Narragansett, North Kingstown, Charlestown and the Kingston Fire District.

South Kingstown EMS and the University of Rhode Island EMS were at the scene on standby, and the South Kingstown Police Department secured all roads leading to the building. 

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management was also called to the scene due to the restaurant’s waterfront location.

Matunuck Oyster Bar has been a part of the South Kingstown community since 2009.

Perry Raso, the owner of Matunuck Oyster Bar, released the following statement:

“I would like to sincerely thank the Union Fire District of South Kingstown and neighboring fire fighters who were on site heroically fighting the Matunuck Oyster Bar fire when I arrived in the early morning of Tuesday, May 20. While the damage to our building is devastating to me, our patrons, and our employees, we are very thankful no one was injured.

As we assess our next steps, our first priority is in finding ways to assist our more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees, whose service and dedication have made Matunuck Oyster Bar what it is today, and who rely on this business to support themselves and their families. We are currently working closely Department of Labor & Training, the Governor’s Office, and other public officials to identify available resources, and we are committed to staying in direct contact with our team members as our long-term plan for Matunuck Oyster Bar is developed.

I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our neighbors, patrons, partners, colleagues and friends from Rhode Island and beyond, who have reached out over the last several hours with selfless offers to help. We are humbled by this outpouring of kindness from our community, and we are working to explore the most efficient and most impactful avenues available, in order to ensure that our staff receives assistance during this difficult time.

We are humbled and grateful for what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people. While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible.”