WESTPORT, Conn. (AP) -The frigid weather most likely caused a pipe to burst in actor Paul Newman’s new resturant, damaging part of the dining room and forcing the eatery to close for repairs.

“Obviously we’re a little irritated and frustrated,” said co-owner and Chef Michel Nischan said.

“We were really on a nice little roll there.”

A cracked sprinkler pipe damaged the rear dining room early Monday. Firefighters were called to the 128-seat restaurant about 1 a.m. and found water flowing from the ceiling.

Fire Chief Christopher Ackley said the crack was probably caused by the cold weather.

Open since October, the Dressing Room restaurant is housed in two former barns. Nischan said the water caused mostly cosmetic damage, but the restaurant could be closed for up to a week.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://www.stamfordadvocate.com

AP-ES-02-06-07 0130EST