the “Big Game” nearly turned into a big disaster
photos courtesy of Boyd Loving’s Facebook page
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
HAWTHORNE, NJ — For a busy Italian restaurant, Super Bowl Sunday is typically the biggest day of the year. But for one well-known Hawthorne establishment, the “Big Game” nearly turned into a big disaster on February 8, 2026.
A “significant” water leak caused by a ruptured fire suppression system pipe forced the restaurant to abruptly close its dining room just as pre-game festivities were heating up. However, thanks to the quick thinking of the Hawthorne Fire Department, the kitchen was saved, allowing Super Bowl Sunday to continue—at least for takeout fans.
The Crisis: A Broken Fire Sprinkler System
Around mid-day on Sunday, a pipe within the building’s fire suppression system failed, sending water cascading through the dining area. The volume of the leak was substantial enough that management had no choice but to shutter the indoor seating area to ensure patron safety and begin immediate cleanup.
The Save: Firefighters to the Rescue
Firefighters from the Hawthorne FD arrived quickly to mitigate the flooding. Their primary goal was to protect the kitchen and electronics from the spreading water. By effectively diverting the flow and “dewatering” critical areas, the crews were able to isolate the damage to the dining room.
This strategic intervention allowed the restaurant’s kitchen to remain operational. As a result, the establishment was able to fulfill hundreds of Super Bowl pick-up and delivery orders, saving a massive portion of their holiday revenue.
A Multi-Agency Community Effort
The effort to keep the local business afloat wasn’t just a fire department victory. It was a collaborative effort across Hawthorne’s first responders:
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Hawthorne Police Department: Managed the scene and assisted with logistics during the high-traffic Sunday afternoon.
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Hawthorne EMS: Remained on standby to ensure the safety of the staff and responders working in the wet conditions.
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The Result: While the “dine-in” experience was lost, the “take-out” tradition was preserved for local residents.
Supporting Local After the Leak
While the name of the specific Italian restaurant hasn’t been officially released in the incident summary, Hawthorne residents are encouraged to support their local Broad Street and Lafayette Avenue eateries this week as they recover from any storm or infrastructure-related issues.
Wait times for dining in may be affected at certain locations as repairs to flooring and fire safety systems are completed.
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Tags: #HawthorneNJ #PassaicCounty #LocalBusiness #SuperBowl2026 #FirstResponders #CommunitySupport #NJRestaurants #BreakingNews
Just say Puzo’s
At least try to hide the fact that you copy and pasted ChatGPT. Very lazy.