Muddy Waters Café on Bank Street in New London is closed after a fire early Thursday morning.
Firefighters responded around 5:30 a.m. after someone who was walking by saw smoke and crews found a fire in the basement.
“No injuries reported, but there is some significant damage to the basement area. A lot of smoke damage to the second floor,” New London Fire Chief Tom Curcio said.
The cafe posted that the fire started before the shop opened and they are grateful that no one was injured.
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A new owner took over Muddy Waters around three years ago and they had just finished a lot of work on the building. What happened Thursday morning is disheartening, but they do hope to reopen.
“This is a go-to place for people in New London. We recognize that and we will do everything in our power to restore this and get back online as soon as possible,” David Preka, of Muddy Waters Café, said.
The fire was a shock for customer, including Marylou Gannotti, of Waterford, who was supposed to have a meeting at the coffee shop.
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“As I approached, I saw the caution tape and the windows boarded up. I could smell the smoke and I’m just heartbroken. It’s an amazing community institution,” she said.
The shop means a lot to people in the community.
“You know you can drive by here any time of the day and you will see the line out the door,” Chief Curcio said.
“This is like the core place for us,” Ayfer Kaya, of New London, said. “Everybody gathers here. Everybody knows each other. It’s been here for years and years and years.”
“He is going to come back stronger and everybody is going to meet there again,” Kaya added.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
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