Fire at Cozy Corner Restaurant closes Route 17 in Durham

A fire at the Cozy Corner Restaurant has closed both directions of Route 17 in Durham, firefighters said.

Multiple 911 calls came in for a fire around 8:48 a.m., and firefighters, who were located across the street, arrived in about three minutes, said Robert Doyle, fire marshal for the town of Durham.

The fire was brought under control in about 15 minutes as Durham firefighters got help from mutual aid North Branford South District Middlefield, Doyle said.

The restaurant was not open during the fire, but the owner was inside. He was taken to Middlesex Hospital for smoke inhalation, according to Doyle.

The investigation into the fire has not started yet, so it is not clear what caused it.

“[The owner] is devastated, obviously, he’s been a pillar of the community for over 35 years,” Doyle said. “Everybody visits this place. It’s very popular in town. We’re going to do everything we can to help him out.”

There is no fire hydrant in the area, so firefighters used tankers, which is normal routine, according to Doyle.

No firefighters were injured in the fire, Doyle said.

Doyle said Route 17 should be reopened by 11 a.m.

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