Fire Damages Kitchen at Victor's Diner in Watertown

A blaze at Victor's Diner damaged the kitchen today, March 6, but a fire suppression system prevented the blaze from spreading.

"It looks like it was a problem with the fry-o-lator being left on," said Watertown Deputy Fire Chief Tom McManus.

The fire was doused by the fire-suppression system, said Watertown Fire Chief Mario Orangio.

"It didn't get the structure, just the kitchen," Orangio said.

Victor's, located at 214 North Beacon St., was closed at the time of the fire. A call came into emergency dispatchers just before 5 p.m. and the caller reported a burglar alarm going off, Orangio said, but when police arrived they spotted the black smoke in the diner.

When fire crews arrived the building was filled with smoke, McManus said, and the diner was locked so firefighters had to break a window and the glass front door, according to Orangio.

The kitchen area did not appear to be usable right now, McManus said, but once the building inspector signs off the Victor's can reopen.

"I think it will be back in business soon," McManus said.