11 Injured at Franklin Cafe on Dot Ave

Heavy panels fall on diners, hurting 11
By O’Ryan Johnson and Stuart Cahill | Sunday, January 4, 2009

Eleven diners at a brand new posh South Boston restaurant were hurt last night when several heavy decorative wood panels suspended from the ceiling rained down on them, fire officials said.

The injuries at Franklin Southie, a Dorchester Avenue hot spot, all were considered minor in nature, said Boston Fire Department spokesman Steve MacDonald. He said eight diners were hospitalized and three were treated at the scene.

There were roughly 70 people inside the eatery, which had been open only a few weeks when last night’s mayhem happened. Franklin Southie also has an acclaimed sister restaurant in the South End, Franklin Cafe.

MacDonald said the heavy decorative panels were 10 feet by 10 feet. Fire department officials said it is unclear what caused the panels to come down and the cause of the collapse is under investigation.

The city building inspector was called to the scene to check the stability of the structure.

When the call initially came in, fire department officials feared diners may have been trapped and called for a technical rescue, MacDonald said. However, that call was canceled, and instead diners were treated at the scene and later taken to Boston Medical Center.

The restaurant is on the ground level of a condominium complex built over the summer near the Fourth Street bridge.
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