VICTOR, N.Y. -- Part of The Apple Farm, a popular fall destination for apple picking and hayrides on Route 444 in Victor, was destroyed Friday morning by fire.
The fire was contained to the retail store. Fire officials said the fire started in the back of the store.
Firefighters say a passerby saw the fire and called 911. Munir Bahai, the owner, said his wife also saw smoke and woke him up.
"You know, when these things happen, what can you do?" asked Bahai. "You just run down and call 911 and that's the most you could do. There's gas in the building, you know? I was worried there was going to be explosions."
"The Apple Farm is a fixture of the community," said Sean McAdoo with the Victor Fire Department. "We've known them for years, and whenever you have a business like this that is a fixture in the community lose a building it is disheartening. We are thankful there were no injuries. That's all we can work with."
Bahai says he hopes to rebuild. The orchard and its approximately 30,000 fruit trees was not damaged.
According to The Apple Farm's website, it has been in business for more than 40 years.
"I thank all the customers for their support the hopefully we can stay in business," Bahai said. "I don't know, we will see what happens."
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation.