Updated August 26

At the Oak Bluffs fireworks on Saturday, no injuries were reported after a trailer on the barge where fireworks were being set off caught fire. 

Local officials are still investigating the cause of the fire, but said that flames were extinguished quickly, and there was no damage reported to the barge. The end of the fireworks’ display was delayed due to the incident.

According to Warren Pearce Jr., owner of American Thunder Fireworks and show producers, the fire was contained to the 6-foot by 6-foot trailer used to store cardboard during the fireworks show. Pearce said an ember likely entered through a plastic vent, igniting the cardboard. Pearce said that crew onboard used extinguishers, and that firefighters arrived shortly after to offer assistance. Damage was contained within the trailer.

American Thunder Fireworks has reported the incident to the state fire marshal and local fire departments, which are investigating. 

According to the Oak Bluffs harbormaster’s office, the Oak Bluffs Fire Department was able to get all the fireworks staff and pyrotechnicians off the barge quickly after the fire ignited. A tugboat that was involved in the fire response had firefighter gear on board, and was able to douse the flames. 

“Everyone was really prepared. It could’ve been a lot worse,” said Emily deBettencourt, the Oak Bluffs harbormaster.

Some bystanders and onlookers informed The Times that the fire delayed the finale for the end-of-summer show by roughly an hour, resuming the finale around 11 pm. 

Oak Bluffs Fire Chief Stephen Foster said that fire personnel were quickly able to confirm that there was no damage or exposure past the interior of the trailer.

“Due to the fire being isolated only to the trailer, with no impingement to the products of the fireworks themselves, the American Thunder Fireworks and barge crew made the decision to continue the show, which culminated with the grand finale display.”

“We’d like to thank everyone involved to make the town of Oak Bluffs fireworks display a successful one,” said Chief Foster

Pearce said that they are looking to make changes for next time around. He said they plan to replace the old trailer with a steel job box. 

“We are proud to do this show for you,” he said. “We will continue to do this show for as long as they want us. The fire department has been awesome every single year, and we could never do the show without them.”