CAMILLUS, N.Y. -- It took several hours and crews from at least 10 different departments to get the fire under control at the Green Gate Inn in Camillus, Friday.
"The structure seems to be a sound structure. There's a lot of smoke and water damage throughout the building," said Camillus Fire Chief Douglas Groesbeck.
Philippe Meyer has owned the restaurant, bar and hotel since 2007. He said no one was there at the time because the restaurant doesn't open until 3 p.m. Meyer said his wife, Natalia was there earlier in the day, but they got the call while at lunch that their business was in trouble. He hopes to rebuild.
"If we can sure we will. Got to, have to do something; Can't stay out of a job. We have employees too you know," said Meyer.
The Green Gate Inn has been in the community since the Civil War era. The fire Chief says the age and style of the building, made it challenging for crews to get the fire contained."
"It seems to have started in the kitchen area. The building is a balloon frame construction which means that there's no fire stops between the floors. It got into the walls and spread into the third and fourth floor of the structure," said Groesbeck.
Neighbors watched, helpless as another landmark in the village was destroyed by fire.
"It's heartbreaking; it's just a part of Camillus we lost. We lost Camillus Cutlery a couple years ago. Now this," said Glenn Krisak.
This may be the end for what is a big part of the identity here. Insurance and the investigation will shed some light on what happened and if they can move forward here.