Updated 12:15 pm, Saturday, July 4
Edgartown firefighters were called to the Atlantic restaurant in downtown Edgartown at the foot of Main Street just before 10 am, Saturday morning for a report of a fire even as business owners and residents prepared for the town’s busy Fourth of July festivities, that include a parade later this afternoon and fireworks tonight.
Edgartown Deputy Fire Chief/Ambulance Coordinator Alex Schaeffer said the fire appears to have started in a kitchen exhaust fan but the exact cause is still under investigation. Mr. Schaeffer happened to be walking across the street when the fire began and called in the alarm, then he began directing the fire fighting effort.
Oak Bluffs fire fighters also arrived to back up Edgartown. The Atlantic, an upscale restaurant that specializes in steak and seafood and overlooks Edgartown harbor, is in a heavily congested area of the town. A major concern was to contain the fire,.
Police closed the length of Dock Street and a portion of Main Street while firefighters battled the blaze. The streets have since reopened and the parade scheduled for 5pm is still on schedule.
Mr. Schaeffer said there was considerable water damage to the second floor of the restaurant building where The Boathouse, a private club is located.
As he surveyed the damage, Mark Siders, restaurant vice president of operations, told The Times he expects to open “sooner rather than later.” Mr. Siders said most of the damage was water related and it was not severe. Electricians were expected to arrive later today, he said.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly spelled the last name of Mark Siders as Snider.
Monica Busch contributed reporting to this story.
