MATTAPOISETT — Fire crews from across the South Coast responded to a five alarm fire at the Mattapoisett boatyard on Friday, Aug. 19.

Onlookers report that the fire began around 1:30 pm. Massive plumes of smoke could be seen from as far away as New Bedford. 

The intersection of Marion Road and Ned’s Point Road was clogged with emergency vehicles from 19 different communities including Marion, Rochester, Wareham, New Bedford, Westport, Plymouth, Fall River and Berkeley.  

Bystanders gathered on front lawns, sat in their cars and rode past on bicycles while firefighters pulled on protective gear in the streets. Fire hose lines stretched for blocks up Marion Road. 

A short distance away, the Mattapoisett boatyard burned. Officials have not provided comment at this time.

An Eversource employee who declined to give his name said that all he knows, “is that there has been an explosion at a boatyard.”

According to Jack Lowell, a resident who lives next door to the blaze, the fire began when a powerboat exploded in a shed on boatyard property. He added that paint and propane tanks stored inside the shed may have contributed to a secondary explosion. Lowell said that when he left his home, the marina and docks were unharmed and that the fire had not spread outside the boat yard.

A hazardous waste truck from the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services was also seen driving toward the site of the fire.

There is not yet any official information available about a cause. 

Arial photography showed that cars, buildings and boats at the Mattapoisett boat yard were almost completely engulfed in flames by 2:30 pm , while fire boats sprayed water from the harbor. 

“It’s very sad, I hope everyone’s ok,” said onlooker Marya Dunham.

The fire now appears to be under control. No injuries have been reported at this time.