The Ocean View restaurant, a long-established Oak Bluffs eatery and bar, was destroyed in a fire Thursday morning that drew a comprehensive response from Island fire departments.

Speaking to the Gazette by phone late Thursday, Oak Bluffs fire chief Nelson Wirtz said the state fire marshall was on the scene, and that an investigation was under way.

“It looks like it’ll be a total loss,” said the chief, who was off-Island attending a conference but had monitored the work of firefighters from afar.

Firefighters from every Island town converged on the scene.

Kevin Hooks

Firefighters from every Island town converged on the scene.

Kevin Hooks

The two-alarm call went out just after 10 a.m. Thursday for the fire at 16 Chapman avenue. Heavy smoke filled the air and was visible across the harbor. Flames could be seen shooting from the roof of the restaurant. A third alarm went out just after 10:30 a.m. calling for all fire department heads and requesting an ambulance on the scene.

Chief Wirtz said crews arrived to a building engulfed in flames.

“When they got there, they had a nearly fully involved fire,” the chief said.

Firefighters from every Island town converged at the scene to knock down the blaze with a full array of apparatus. The Oak Bluffs ladder truck was at the forefront of the response effort, while trucks from other towns and fully clad firefighters crowded the pavement around the restaurant, their hoses snaking in every direction around the burning building.

Chief Wirtz said firefighters used two pipes flowing 1,500 gallons of water per minute as well as hoses to contain the fire. He was unsure the total amount of water used.

“I would say a lot,” he said.

No one was believed to be in the building at the time, and there were no reports of injuries.

Roads surrounding the restaurant and nearby park remained were closed off during the response.

At dusk Thursday, crews were still at the scene. “They’re still really busy down there,” Chief Wirtz said.

The restaurant has been closed for maintenance work and was due to open next week, according to owner Mike Santoro, who spoke to the Gazette by phone from Florida Thursday.

“It’s just a shock right now,” Mr. Santoro said. “It’s crazy.” He said he did not think there was anyone in the building at the time.

Mr. Santoro also said he had already received a flood of calls and messages from people offering their condolences.

“It makes it a little easier when the community reaches out,” he said.

He said the top priority at the moment is his employees.

“My thoughts are with my employees right now,” Mr. Santoro said.

Mr. Santoro bought the business from the Jackson family, former longtime owners, in 2015. The building is owned by Charles C. Hajjar, an Island real estate developer and businessman who owns several hotels and other properties.

Mr. Santoro, who leases the building from Mr. Hajjar, said he had contacted him to inform him about the fire.

The restaurant sits on the site of the old Ocean View Hotel, which was destroyed by fire on a bitterly cold night in January 1965. That fire too saw an all-out response from Island firefighters, who battled the blaze for hours.

Only one wall was left standing.

More pictures.