Landmark Town Square Diner Heavily Damaged in Early Morning Kitchen Fire-October 25, 1989

Faulty Refrigerator Motor Sparks Fire at 35-Year Downtown Institution

The Town Square Diner, a beloved landmark in downtown Norwood located on Nahatan Street, sustained heavy damage early yesterday morning after a fire—believed to have been touched off by a faulty electric motor in a refrigerator—gutted the establishment’s kitchen area.

According to Fire Captain William Sullivan, the blaze was discovered shortly after midnight when a patrolling police officer spotted smoke billowing from the rear of the building. Emergency crews arrived swiftly, forcing open the front door to encounter heavy flames concentrated in the kitchen. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control in approximately 10 minutes, preventing total structural destruction.

The diner has been owned and operated by George Karafotias of Norwood for 35 years, making it a staple of the local community. While the kitchen suffered severe damage, quick action by the fire department saved the main dining room. Two firefighters sustained minor injuries during the operation—one twisting an ankle and another hurting his side—though neither injury was reported as serious.

(photo: townsquarediner.com)

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger

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