Fire Significantly Damages Popular Restaurant In Durham, Owner Hospitalized: Reports

DURHAM, CT — A popular restaurant was significantly damaged in a fire that sent the owner to the hospital Friday morning in Durham, according to multiple reports, including WFSB 3.

WFSB reports the fire broke out in the kitchen of the Cozy Corner Restaurant on New Haven Road around 9 a.m.

The owner of the restaurant was hospitalized with smoke inhalation, but is expected to be OK, according to WFSB.

Route 17 was temporarily closed in both directions at Higganum Road, but has since reopened.

WTNH News 8 reports the owner was inside the restaurant setting up to open for the day at the time of the fire.

The restaurant was fully engulfed when crews arrived, according to WTNH 8.

NBC Connecticut reports firefighters brought the fire under control within 15 minutes.

Durham Fire Marshal Robert Doyle told NBC Connecticut that the owner of the Cozy Corner Restaurant has been a “pillar of the community for over 35 years” and is devastated by the fire.

Read more at WFSB 3 here, WTNH News 8 here, and NBC Connecticut here.