NORWICH – While the smell of smoke and charred timber remains strong in the air and water continues to drip from areas on its second floor, one can tell that an enormous amount of work has already gone into the rebuilding of Fred’s Inn following Sunday’s fire that gutted portions of the popular restaurant’s walls and ceilings. A 30-foot dumpster, already near capacity at the rear of the historic inn, is evidence of the Cirello family’s determined effort to rebuild and reopen as soon as possible, and co-owner Dave Cirello, who grew up flipping steaks as a six year old child at the restaurant, said he and his family are focused on the task at hand.
The fire, reported by a member of the kitchen staff at Fred’s at approximately 2:45 p.m. Sunday, has been blamed on a broiler adjacent to the south wall of the restaurant’s kitchen. The blaze quickly spread upwards into the structure’s second floor, causing widespread damage to its attic, ceilings and roof. Smoke damage was also substantial, according to Cirello, who said he was simply happy that no one was hurt in the fire. Buildings, he added, can be replaced; his employees, family, friends and customers can not.
“It was disheartening at first ... it was just a nightmare,” admitted Cirello, who runs Fred’s Inn and the Park Place Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Norwich with his father Chic Cirello, “but the motel is still open, people are still booking and people still want to stay here. Repairs are underway and we’ve done a lot of cleaning since Sunday. We will be back.”
Cirello said he and his family are hoping to re-open Fred’s in six to nine months, and they’re offering guests at the adjacent motel a 10 percent discount on meals at Park Place, something many have taken advantage of in the days since the fire. In addition, a chicken barbecue will be held at noon on Oct. 27 in an effort to raise money for employees of the inn who have lost their source of income following the closure of the restaurant. The benefit will include a 50/50 raffle and a number of gift cards from local businesses, said Fred’s Inn bartender Michelle Green, who can be contacted at 316-6162 for more information.
Originally known as Rocco’s Inn from 1933 to 1935, the restaurant was renamed Fred’s Inn in 1941 following its purchase by Fred Biermann. Chic Cirello bought the historic inn in 1977, and his son said it would take much more than a fire – no matter how devastating – to close its doors for good.
“It was unbelievable,” said Cirello of the fire,” but we’ll get her back.”