SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The beloved Matunuck Oyster Bar, which was heavily damaged in a fire this week, had no sprinkler system — nor was one required to by law.

Matunuck Oyster Bar is a pond to plate restaurant. Raso was an aquaculture advocate who began his oyster farm on Potter Pond in 2002.

A fire at the iconic Matunuck Oyster Bar on May 20 caused serious damage to the restaurant. Firefighters say the building will likely need to come down. Matunuck Oyster Bar opened in 2009 as an extension of a local oyster farming business.