This is horrible news. Thankfully no one was hurt.

Friends of O'Rourke's have set up this website.

Update: I know this is kind of off-topic, but as even Joe Lieberman would tell you, diners are a very important aspect of the Connecticut political scene.

The last time I was at O'Rourke's was the morning of August 9th, to celebrate the primary victory the night before. They still had a Lieberman sign in their window, but it didn't matter. I had a great andouille omelette. Brian was passing out cakes and breads as usual, including some fresh out-of-the-oven bread, steaming hunks of which he ripped off handed to me and the other dozen or so customers. It was someone's birthday. An employee came over and sang in deep soulful tones. Just a typical morning by the railroad tracks in the north end of Middletown.

O'Rourke's is a Connecticut institution - a community treasure the likes of which simply don't exist anymore. You need only read through a few of the memories already posted from devastated customers to realize this. Some are from last week. Others from decades ago. All are heartfelt.

The Rajun Cajun in Hartford - good friends of the Lamont campaign - have already offered to hire out-of-work waitstaff. People are already pulling together to help. It's inspiring. It's that same spirit that inspires this campaign.