After the shock, the question is "now what?"
By Janine L. Weisman, Rhode Island Current
Employees at the Matunuck Oyster Bar hug. (Photo by Laura Paton/Rhode Island Current)
The Rhode Island Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of Tuesday’s early morning fire that engulfed the popular Matunuck Oyster Bar in South Kingstown and left more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees out of work.
No injuries were reported from the blaze that seriously damaged the waterfront restaurant on Succotash Road ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Heavy smoke and flames were coming from the restaurant at the time firefighters arrived at approximately 3:45 a.m., according to Associated Press reports.
Restaurant employees surrounded Perry Raso, the restaurant’s owner, in a group hug outside the burned out building late Tuesday morning as firefighters continued to work at the scene.
“While the damage to our building is devastating to me, our patrons, and our employees, we are very thankful no one was injured,” Raso said in a statement Tuesday night. “I’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our neighbors, patrons, partners, colleagues and friends from Rhode Island and beyond, who have reached out over the last several hours with selfless offers to help. We are humbled and grateful for what Matunuck Oyster Bar represents to so many people. While we are heartbroken that our doors will be temporarily closed, we are committed to opening them back up and welcoming guests back to our tables as soon as possible.”
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training Chief Public Affairs Officer Edwine “Drine” Paul said a department official connected with the restaurant’s owner Tuesday afternoon.
“The department is coordinating efforts with the restaurant to expedite our rapid response services to support all of the impacted workers,” Paul said. “We want to make sure that we support them at this difficult time.”
Raso said his team is assessing its next steps. “Our first priority is in finding ways to assist our more than 300 full-time and seasonal employees, whose service and dedication have made Matunuck Oyster Bar what it is today, and who rely on this business to support themselves and their families,” he said. “We are currently working closely (with the) Department of Labor & Training, the Governor’s Office, and other public officials to identify available resources, and we are committed to staying in direct contact with our team members as our long-term plan for Matunuck Oyster Bar is developed.”
Raso opened Matunuck Oyster Bar in 2009, selling the fresh oysters harvested at the Matunuck Oyster Farm, the wading depth aquaculture farm he founded on Potter Pond in East Matunuck. The restaurant had commercial docks that facilitated access for work boats.
Matunuck Oyster Bar has received numerous accolades, including making USA Today’s Restaurants of the Year list.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined, and the state fire marshal’s office is actively investigating, Matt Touchette, a spokesperson for the office said.
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