For Phil Macomber, it was just a routine job of removing a fuel tank from a powerboat at the Mattapoisett Boatyard where he had worked for years, explained General Manager David Kaiser. There was an explosion that rocked the Ned’s Point neighborhood, then another and another. Macomber was seriously injured but thankfully survived after being pulled from the fire by a colleague, Kaiser confirmed.
The boatyard, however, was completely leveled to twisted metal and ash. The ensuing fire and thick black smoke could be seen over great distances, as combustible materials along with cars and boats fed the raging inferno. Before it was over, three firefighters would be treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, yet the surrounding private residences were spared.
On Monday night, Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray issued a press release in cooperation with State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey stating that the fire “was most likely caused by the ignition of gasoline vapors during the replacement of a boat’s gas tank.”
The press release also stated that the origin and cause of the fire were jointly investigated by the Mattapoisett Police and Fire departments and the State Police & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office.
“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,” stated Murray in the press release, adding thanks to Mattapoisett’s firefighters and the many “from across the region who rushed in to help.”
Stunned onlookers flocked to Barstow Wharf at the town beach and crowded the wharves at Shipyard Park. Murmurs of “Oh my God,” and “I hope everyone got out” rippled through the crowds. People could not believe their eyes. Fireboats would arrive on the scene in what seemed like only a few minutes from Wareham and New Bedford, each dumping 1,275 gallons of seawater per minute on flames that shot up above the tree line.
In fairly short order, the fire department reported it as a six-alarm fire, triggering a massive mutual aid effort. Backup fire apparatus, ambulances, police cruisers and hazmat teams from 19 surrounding towns were deployed to the fire, which was fed by 25 mile-per-hour winds coming off the water.
Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray said 19 engines, 12 tankers, 3 fireboats and 2 ladder trucks were on site during the battle with the blaze, along with more than 100 firefighters via the Statewide Fire Mobilization Plan. Mattapoisett’s press release also noted response from the state’s Emergency Management Agency, Department of Environmental Protection, along with several south coast harbormasters and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The initial call, Murray told the Wanderer, came in at 1:21 pm on August 19, followed by numerous calls from concerned citizens. Murray said that when the Mattapoisett Fire Department arrived on the scene, one of several boatyard buildings was fully engulfed in flames. Within minutes, the fire would spread to other structures. The final damage tally included 6 buildings, 47 cars and 14 boats that were in the yard. “Two of my personal boats are now piles of ash,” Kaiser stated.
Neighbors Christin McCormack and Michael Taubenberger were still processing what had taken place right outside their door when they spoke to the Wanderer on August 23. “We grabbed what we could,” thinking that it was possible their homes would soon be in flames, said McCormack. Describing the moment when the first explosion rocked her home, she said her first thought was for the employees at the boatyard as “terrifying.”
Shortly, those thoughts turned to the need to evacuate their Ned’s Point home. McCormack said, “It felt like it was the whole town…everyone is so connected to the water; we grew up with the boatyard.”
Yet, with embers falling on her property, a stand of maple trees and hydrangea bushes in full bloom curling brown and scorched, all they could do was stand by and pray for the best. “We were in the direct path of the heat and smoke,” McCormack explained as the restoration service truck sat in her driveway. When they heard their household alarms blaring from the relative safety of a neighboring lot and over the cacophony, the couple feared the worst had happened. That was not the case – mercifully, their home did not suffer fire damage.
In the hours since the fire was extinguished, the community and region pulled out all stops in providing tangible and emotional support for the Kaisers and their family-owned and operated business and for Macomber. A GoFundMe.com page was set up by Kaiser’s daughter Sarah in the hope of collecting $30,000 in financial support – by Tuesday the site had reported over $130,000 in donations.
Kaiser said that all equipment including tools was destroyed but that tool donations including toolboxes will be donated from marinas around the area. Local business Triad Boatworks has set up a Facebook page for tool donations and another GoFundMe page for cash donations. On the bright side, Kaiser said that no employee was put out of work: “There’s plenty to do, we’ve got work.”
As for rebuilding, preliminary discussions are all green lights. Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, with whom Representative William Straus has spoken, has planned for a dedicated state-level point person to assist the town and the Kaisers through various permitting processes. Kaiser said, when it comes to rebuilding, he will also be working with abutters and neighbors to ensure the neighborhood is informed and involved in the process.
Ned Kaiser, manager of the Mattapoisett Boatyard, said that utility companies “jumped right on it,” assisting the business with necessary services. “They dropped everything else,” he said.
The Kaisers are setting up temporary headquarters at their Route 6 boatyard. On Monday, a variety of utility trucks and trades were on site getting the building ready. Ned Kaiser also reported that although hazmat booms were placed in the water during the incident, no fuel had reached the harbor as of Monday.
At the local level, that spirit of “all for one and one for all” permeates the community.
Select Board members voiced their shock and their determination to assist. Member Jordan Collyer said the day after the incident, “I’m upset, disheartened at the loss of this family business.” He said as a teen he had worked in the boatyard as well as other family members. Collyer said that Straus is staying involved, as is the governor’s office. While he could not speak for the other members, he believes all will work together to ensure the business’s return.
Member Jodi Bauer said, “It’s tough, I know most of those people … it’s devastating … economically, and it affects so many people.” She, too, stated the importance of getting the business up and operational.
Member Tyler Macallister said, “We’ll do everything we can to get the business operating.” He said that Director of Inspectional Services David Riquinha returned from vacation when he learned of the incident. “He wanted to be front and center as needed,” said Macallister.
Town Administrator Mike Lorenco commented, “There are questions to be asked and answered, but we’ll collect all the information and help the entire organization.” From a jobs’ perspective, Lorenco said it was devastating. However, just 48 hours after the fire, many employees were helping with recovery efforts.
At Monday night’s Select Board meeting, Macallister opened by acknowledging the massive effort from all of the first responders, the hope of recovery for the injured employee, and the commitment that the town offices share in getting the Mattapoisett Boatyard back on its feet.
The Mattapoisett Boatyard has been an institution in town since it was founded in 1962 by Arthur and Althea McLean, Kaiser’s in-laws. “They are devastated,” Kaiser said. As for Arthur McLean, he firmly stated with conviction on Saturday as he surveyed the damage, “No question – we’ll definitely rebuild.”
By Marilou Newell