MATTAPOISETT – Charred ruin is all that remains of a 60-year-old family business, after the Mattapoisett Boatyard was destroyed by an explosive fire on Friday.

The explosive waterfront fire created billowing smoke that was visible for miles and drew more than 100 firefighters to the scene to keep the blaze as contained as possible.

The inferno was described by Mattapoisett Fire Rescue as “one if, if not the, largest fire(s) that our community has ever seen.”

One civilian sustained serious injuries, said Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray. The victim is currently hospitalized at a Rhode Island hospital.

Although the chief did not name the injured person, he has been identified on social media as Phil Macomber, who was described as “part of the Mattapoisett Boatyard family” for nearly 20 years.

According to a GoFundMe page organized by Sarah Kaiser, Macomber is hospitalized for “major burns to his face and neck” and a shattered femur and “has a long road to recovery.”

Donations are sought “as there are sure to be many unknown expenses over the next six months to a year that would not be covered by insurance.”

Of the post’s $30,000 goal, $35,800 has been raised through 266 donations as of mid-afternoon Saturday.

Here are words from the Mattapoisett Boatyard Facebook page:

“Words cannot begin to describe the devastation we are dealing with right now after this tragic event. Phil has been a part of our boatyard family for just about 20 years, and is in need of any help he can get.”

Three firefighters were treated for minor injuries, including smoke inhalation, and released home, Murray said.

Murray and his team were on the scene that Saturday morning cleaning up and securing the sorry sight. Among the rubble were melted down cars and charred scrap metal.

The scent of smoke like a strong campfire could be smelled all the way down the road where police blocked off oncoming traffic.

“Today, we’re still watching for hot spots, the wind kindles some stuff occasionally and there’s some deep-rooted fires. So, we’re investigating and working with environmental companies to address the hazards there,” he said.

The Mattapoisett Fire Department received multiple calls reporting an explosion at 1:21 p.m. and Murray said they were on the scene within minutes, where the main building “was already fully engulfed in fire.”

He said the crews made an aggressive attack against the fire, but it was a difficult fight with the winds coming off the water at 25 miles per hour and limited water supply from street fire hydrants. The fire consumed five buildings.

“[The staff on site] did an amazing job. I can’t thank them enough. They saved a lot of houses,” said Murray.

The fire department thanked local restaurants and residents who donated or brought food and drinks for the firefighters who battled the blaze. “It takes a community and we have a special one,” the department wrote on its Facebook page.

Murray said the next steps will be to support the Kaiser family, who own the boatyard.

“It’s a family business that has been in town a long time, they’re a great family and we want to try and be there to support them and provide any resources they may need and help with the investigation,” Murray said.

The investigation as to the cause of the fire is still under way, he explained, though they have narrowed it down. Murray said that it was likely due to a boat that exploded on the property, but could not provide more insight at this time.

The situation was classified as a six-alarm fire, Murray said, due to the high level of response. In addition to the more than 100 firefighters on scene, 19 engines, 10 tankers, 10 ambulances, two ladders, and three fire boats also responded to the scene.