Menemsha businesses have reopened after a Monday afternoon fire destroyed the Coast Guard boathouse and wooden pier and forced the evacuation of the village.

Menemsha Texaco, Larsen’s and Menemsha Fish Market, the Galley restaurant and the Home Port restaurant returned to normal hours of operation Tuesday morning.

Also on Tuesday morning, the Chilmark selectmen met at the site of the fire to discuss rebuilding a temporary access to the west dock. The drive-on passage was completely destroyed in the fire, making the pier accessible only by boat. Several cars remain trapped at the end. Selectman Warren Doty said the cars would be removed by barge.

Mr. Doty said the town will not be able to reconstruct the drive-on pier before the end of the summer season, but selectmen are discussing building a temporary pedestrian walkway. Another emergency meeting will be held at the town hall at 4 p.m. Wednesday, the third emergency meeting called by the board since the fire.

Meanwhile, the Coast Guard announced yesterday that an investigation continues into the cause of the fire, and a claims number has been set up for people with property destroyed in the fire. The number is 508-457-3240; people may call between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Claims forms are also available at the Coast Guard station in Menemsha.