Pete and Henry’s Restaurant in Royalston, established in 1946, was destroyed by a fire Tuesday afternoon.
Pete and Henry’s Restaurant in Royalston, established in 1946, was destroyed by a fire Tuesday afternoon. Credit: STAFF PHOTO/DEBORRAH PORTER


ROYALSTON — Pete and Henry’s Restaurant at 18 Main St. was destroyed by fire Tuesday afternoon.

Several area fire departments responded to the call for aid and fire trucks from various departments drew water from nearby hydrants and sucked water from the roaring Millers River close to the parking lot. Fire chiefs huddled in deliberation, planning their attack while firefighters from several departments worked in unison, scrambling to unroll and position hoses, as sweat rolled down their faces into their jackets.

Main Street was blocked from through traffic and officers posted on either end restricted entry to emergency personnel. Neighbors stood in shock on their lawns, the sides of the road and under nearby trees watching wordlessly as the popular family gathering spot was engulfed in dark, billowing plumes of smoke and fire.

Heat from the soaring flames could be felt from the General Store and beyond.

Flames shot 50 feet into the air as water was sprayed from several angles. The fire was most visible near the rear kitchen area and could be seen spreading to the entryway, licking through the row of windows as crews worked to reposition streams of water.

The popular restaurant was established in 1946 by Pete and Henry Dufault, who sold only pizza until the 1960s, when the men sold it to Bill and Ginny Cloutier. Present owners are John and Terry Cloutier.