Three-Alarm Fire at Mattapoisett Boatyard

UPDATE: This article has been updated to show that since the first reporting, the fire was upgraded from a three- to a five-alarm fire.

MATTAPOISETT — A five-alarm fire that broke out at the Mattapoisett Boatyard just after 1 p.m. Friday is still ongoing as of 3 p.m.

Dark smoke spread into the sky for over an hour as fire crews from all over the SouthCoast and further afield continue battle the blaze well into Friday afternoon.

It is currently unclear if anyone has been hurt in the fire, which was upgraded from a three-alarm fire earlier in the afternoon.

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Firefighters from Lakeville to Carver are at the scene, along with EMS and state and local police.

Residents and bystanders are being prevented from going down Ned’s Point Road, as at least one loud explosion was heard and felt from blocks away just after 2 p.m.

One New Bedford man, Torrey Gibb, said he was working at a house near the boatyard when he heard the first explosion.

"Felt the ground shake when it went boom," he said. "[It] was nuts."

"At least 10 cars got burned, three or more boats, and three huge buildings," Gibb estimated, adding that he also heard that four people were taken to the hospital with injuries.

WBSM News could not immediately confirm this report.

Gibb also said it was "wicked hot over there" when he ran over to help.

Unconfirmed scanner reports from emergency personnel at the scene state that there was gas or propane involved in the fire.

Residents leaving the area said some people had been evacuated from their homes closer to the scene, which was confirmed by emergency personnel on-scene who were not authorized to speak to the press.

No further details are immediately available.