Repairs, clean-up underway at Fred’s Inn; owners hope to re-open in six to nine months

NORWICH – While the smell of smoke and charred timber remains strong in the air and water continues to drip from areas on its second floor, one can tell that an enormous amount of work has already gone into the rebuilding of Fred’s Inn following Sunday’s fire that gutted portions of the popular restaurant’s walls and ceilings. A 30-foot dumpster, already near capacity at the rear of the historic inn, is evidence of the Cirello family’s determined effort to rebuild and reopen as soon as possible, and co-owner Dave Cirello, who grew up flipping steaks as a six year old child at the restaurant, said he and his family are focused on the task at hand.