Tragedy Strikes Woods Hole: Iconic Captain Kidd Bar Engulfed in Flames—2 Dead, 5 Hospitalized
By Kate Ellison | April 8, 2025 | Woods Hole, MA
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, a devastating fire tore through the iconic Captain Kidd Restaurant & Bar in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, reducing its legendary long mahogany bar to ashes and sending shockwaves through the tight-knit Cape Cod community. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of two individuals and the hospitalization of five others following the blaze, which broke out just after 2:30 a.m.
A symbol of Woods Hole’s historic charm and waterfront culture, the Captain Kidd has stood for generations as a gathering place for locals, tourists, fishermen, scientists, and celebrities alike. Its signature mahogany bar—reportedly salvaged from a 19th-century schooner—was considered a masterpiece and a central piece of the restaurant’s legacy. Now, that treasured landmark lies in ruins.
Chaos in the Night
According to eyewitness accounts and first responders, the fire began near the bar area and spread quickly through the interior of the building. Many inside were still finishing late-night drinks, unaware of the danger until it was nearly too late.
“It started with a small pop,” said Emma Donnelly, a 29-year-old bartender who was on her final shift before heading off to graduate school. “Then the lights flickered. Before I could grab the fire extinguisher, flames burst from under the bar. The wood went up like kindling.”
Donnelly, who helped usher at least four people out a back exit, suffered minor burns and smoke inhalation but was released from the hospital early Tuesday morning.
Emergency crews arrived on the scene at 2:38 a.m. after multiple 911 calls described thick smoke and visible flames erupting from the bar’s harbor-facing windows. Firefighters from Falmouth, Bourne, Mashpee, and as far as Barnstable responded to the three-alarm blaze, battling flames well into the early morning hours.
The entire structure was evacuated within minutes, but not everyone made it out.
Victims Identified
By mid-morning, authorities had confirmed two fatalities. While names were withheld pending notification of next of kin, police sources have indicated that both victims were male, believed to be local residents in their 30s. The five hospitalized individuals, including one firefighter who collapsed due to heat exhaustion, are currently being treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
Dr. Anna Keller of Falmouth Hospital told reporters during a noon briefing that two victims remain in critical condition.
“These are life-threatening injuries,” Keller said. “We are doing everything we can, and we’ve already reached out to Boston Medical Center in case transfers to a burn unit become necessary.”
A Historical Treasure Lost
The Captain Kidd has stood on the banks of Eel Pond for over a century. Originally opened in 1917, the restaurant was named after the infamous pirate William Kidd and has since become one of the most well-known establishments on Cape Cod.
Its interior, adorned with vintage maritime artifacts, oars, harpoons, and sepia-toned photographs, was dominated by the long, gleaming mahogany bar that stretched nearly 40 feet across the main room. According to local historians, the bar was installed in the 1930s and had been a silent witness to generations of sailors, researchers from the nearby Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and seasonal visitors from around the globe.
“It wasn’t just a bar,” said lifelong Woods Hole resident Margaret “Peg” Turner. “It was a gathering place, a time capsule. You’d see tourists in flip-flops sitting next to old fishermen in flannel, sharing stories like they’d known each other forever.”
Investigation Underway
As of Tuesday afternoon, fire officials had not confirmed a cause but were leaning toward an electrical malfunction as the likely origin. Early reports suggest that faulty wiring under the bar may have sparked a fire that quickly ignited nearby bottles of high-proof liquor, which then fed the flames.
“Right now, our team is working with local electricians and investigators to determine the precise source,” said Fire Marshal Emily Rosen. “This was an old building, and unfortunately, even minor electrical failures can lead to catastrophic consequences.”
Rosen confirmed that the building was up to code as of its last inspection in October 2023, but she noted that several recent storms may have compromised electrical systems.
Staff Recounts Close Calls
Many of the Captain Kidd’s employees are still reeling from the events. For some, it was a narrow escape.
“I was cleaning glasses when the fire alarm went off, and I just froze,” said Kenny Mateo, a line cook who has worked at Captain Kidd for over 10 years. “I heard someone shout, ‘Get out! Get out!’ I didn’t even have time to grab my phone or my jacket. I just ran.”
Manager Rachel Bentham, who was helping with inventory in the back office at the time of the incident, described the moment the fire reached the kitchen.
“There was this roar, like a jet engine, and suddenly everything was orange,” she recalled, tears in her eyes. “We tried to use extinguishers, but it was too late. I’ve never seen flames move that fast.”
Bentham was one of the individuals hospitalized, but she has since been released.
Community in Mourning
By morning, the entire community of Woods Hole was in mourning. Residents gathered outside the charred remains of the Captain Kidd, laying flowers and handwritten notes by the entrance. A spontaneous vigil is being planned for this evening, with candles, music, and speeches from longtime patrons and staff.
“It’s like losing a friend,” said marine biologist Dr. Paul Hendrickson, who met his wife at the bar in 1996. “That place held a thousand memories for so many people. We had our engagement party there. We celebrated research milestones. We toasted lost friends. Now it’s gone.”
Local officials have pledged support for the victims’ families and for displaced staff, many of whom relied on Captain Kidd as their primary source of income. Falmouth Select Board Chair Teresa Leone said the town will explore emergency funding options and coordinate with nonprofit partners to provide relief.
“We’ve lost a piece of our soul today,” Leone said. “But we will come together, we will rebuild, and we will honor the memory of those we’ve lost.”
Potential Legal and Financial Fallout
As the investigation unfolds, questions have already begun circulating regarding liability, insurance coverage, and future rebuilding plans. Legal experts suggest that if faulty wiring is confirmed as the cause—and it can be proven that negligence contributed—the bar’s ownership group could face lawsuits
However, the restaurant’s ownership has not issued a formal statement as of Tuesday afternoon.
Sources close to the situation say the bar was fully insured, including for fire damage, and that rebuilding discussions are already underway. A GoFundMe campaign organized by a former employee had raised over $40,000 within the first six hours to support families affected and assist staff who are now out of work.
Memories That Linger
Though the flames may have destroyed the physical structure of Captain Kidd, the stories, friendships, and memories it fostered remain firmly alive in the hearts of Woods Hole residents.
In an emotional Instagram post, local musician Tara Flynn shared a photo of her final performance at the bar, captioning it: “This stage gave me my start. I played to empty seats and standing ovations. I’ll never forget the warmth of that room, or the way the crowd always lifted me up.”
She added, “We’ll rebuild. Somehow, we always do.”
Looking Ahead
While the road to recovery will be long and painful, both emotionally and financially, there is already talk of how the Captain Kidd might rise from the ashes.
Architectural firms have reached out to the owners offering pro bono design services. A group of community leaders is advocating for a memorial wall at the future site to honor the lives lost. And social media has lit up with the hashtag #RaiseTheKidd, encouraging people to share memories, photos, and support.
For now, Woods Hole mourns. But the spirit that made the Captain Kidd a beacon for generations has not been extinguished.
As the fire crews finally packed up late Tuesday afternoon, one firefighter was overheard telling a bystander, “This wasn’t just a bar. It was history. And history doesn’t burn easy.”
Editor’s Note: This story is developing. Check back for updates as more information becomes available regarding the investigation, victim identification, and community relief efforts.
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