---

NORFOLK - It was 27 years ago Wednesday that the Eagle Brook Saloon welcomed its first patrons.

But a morning grease fire on a gas range gave that anniversary a bit of a scare.

The popular Route 1A eatery was forced to delay its lunch menu for an hour because of the 9:44 a.m. fire in the first-floor kitchen, owner Chuck Horne said.

Fire Chief Coleman Bushnell said there was moderate fire damage to the interior kitchen walls.

Firefighters from Norfolk, Wrentham, Foxboro and Millis responded to the scene, a two-story wood frame building at 258 Dedham St. Fire crews left around 11 a.m. - just before the restaurant opened for lunch at 11:30 a.m.

"I'm happy with the way everybody responded," Horne said of the firefighters.

"(Bushnell) goes to me, 'We couldn't let the icon of Norfolk burn.' "

"Hopefully, we'll be here another 27," said Horne, whose brother-in-law, John McTernan, opened the place on Sept. 3, 1981.

Bushnell said an Eagle Brook employee called 911, then used several fire extinguishers on the fire.

The town's on-duty and call firefighters were across town at the time, investigating a reported gas leak at a Lakeshore Drive home, Bushnell said.

One Norfolk fire engine was sent from Lakeshore Drive to the restaurant, the chief said. Wrentham firefighters arrived soon after. The restaurant's sprinkler system did not activate because the fire was in a concealed area, Bushnell said.

The fire was under control by 10:30 a.m., he said.

Health and building department officials also responded. Health officials determined the restaurant could operate from its basement kitchen for a time, Bushnell said.

Horne said he was up and running full again about an hour after firefighters left. "It was a little scary at first," he said.

"But, overall, it was relatively uneventful."