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. In fairly short order, the fire department reported it as a six-alarm fire, triggering a massive mutual aid effort. 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.
Murmurs of “Oh my God,” and “I hope everyone got out” rippled through the crowds.
Stunned onlookers flocked to Barstow Wharf at the town beach and crowded the wharves at Shipyard Park. “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.” 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. 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.” Before it was over, three firefighters would be treated for smoke inhalation and heat exhaustion, yet the surrounding private residences were spared. 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. The boatyard, however, was completely leveled to twisted metal and ash. Macomber was seriously injured but thankfully survived after being pulled from the fire by a colleague, Kaiser confirmed. There was an explosion that rocked the Ned’s Point neighborhood, then another and another. 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.
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