The fire started on the first floor of the two-story building, Youngsville Volunteer Fire Chief Vern Edmisten said.

The call came in around 7:15 p.m. By 9:30 p.m., the fire was largely under control though crews were on scene until nearly 1:15 a.m. and were dispatched back to the scene shortly after 7:30 a.m. Monday morning.

“It (the fire) worked its way through the whole building,” Edmisten added. “Then the building collapsed.”

The chief said that an excavator had to be used to pull the building away, so the fire could be extinguished. On Monday morning, the chief noted, the fire rekindled in a small corner by the street, so the excavator had to be brought back to the scene to tear down the rest of the building.

This is an aerial photo from a drone flown over the scene of the commercial fire in Youngsville Sunday night. Photo courtesy of Donnie Rosie

“It (the building) was a total loss,” Edmisten said.

Fire crews ran multiple water lines to the fire on Sunday evening, including one directly from the Brokenstraw Creek.

Two aerial apparatus — one from Starbrick and the other from the City of Warren — poured a near continuous stream of water on the structure.

Many agencies responded including Youngsville, Sugar Grove, Starbrick, Garland, Spring Creek and Pleasant as well as the county’s Department of Public Safety. The Red Cross, Pennsylvania State Police and Youngsville Police were on scene, as well.

Garland and Youngsville were the agencies that responded back to the scene Monday morning.

Flames kept popping up in pockets for a couple hours after the outbreak of Sunday’s fire in Youngsville. Times Observer photos by Josh Cotton

“Everybody on scene did a great job. There were several departments there and two ladder trucks,” the chief said.

Megan Hale, an employee since the pizzeria opened its doors about two years ago was very saddened.

“I was their cook, a delivery driver, and pretty much anything and everything you can think of,” Hale said.

She added that she had just closed up for the evening about an hour before the fire alarm went off.

She said another employee lived on the second floor with her fiance, and both were able to make it out safely.

A crew from National Fuel inspect damage at Lonnie’s Pizza, which was destroyed by fire Sunday. Photo by Michael Zabrodsky

“I am absolutely heartbroken. It was a family. We laughed and loved and cared about each other every day. It is such a small community. I was born and raised in this town, and to see it gone, it just breaks my heart,” Hale said.

Borough manager Wendy Wilcox said the business was part of the revitalization of the downtown.

“It’s just unfortunate for Youngsville. It was a booming business. They were growing. They just opened their dining room. We’re just sad to see that business go. We are hoping that he (Lon) will rebuild,” Wilcox said.

One of the owners of the adjacent building, the former Fairmont Hotel, commented on the Times Observer’s Facebook page that there was some damage to that building.

The future of that structure has been a topic of discussion before Youngsville officials in recent weeks and months.

Lonnie’s Pizza, located at 114 E. Main St., Youngsville, was destroyed by fire on Sunday. Photo by Michael Zabrodsky

Nathaniel Weaver said that there was “fire on the roof and upper story on the hotel” as well as “heavy smoke and water damage” on the west side of the structure.

The Red Cross assisted at the scene.