BAY SHORE, NY – Firefighters battled flames overnight to save a historic family-owned diner in Suffolk County from destruction after an early-morning incident on July 2.

According to the WABC report, the Fire Department received a call at approximately 1:40 AM for a fire at the Peter Pan Diner, owned by Peter Lentzeres, at 999 Sunrise Highway in Bay Shore, NY. Despite the fact that firefighters arrived on the scene as soon as possible, there was nevertheless a delay. “First responding firefighters were delayed because the Suffolk County Water Authority was working on a hydrant right across the street from a prior water main break,” WABC reported, adding that the firefighters had to find another one, “three blocks away.”

The only positive circumstance was that when the fire broke out there was no one on the premises. According to Lentzeres, the diner had already closed at 11 PM and everyone had checked the premises, as happens every night, before leaving. In his statements to WABC, he said that he could not believe that his restaurant had been engulfed in flames.

“My manager Sylvania, who is an amazing manager, called me. My wife answered and was screaming that the diner was on fire. She was trying to wake me up, I thought I was dreaming, that I was having a nightmare,” the owner of the business told WABC.

According to the Fire Department, the fire seems to have started in the kitchen and spread from there. The operation, which, as mentioned above, was carried out with obstacles, was complex, as the firefighters had to find a way to break into the premises of the restaurant, which was closed at the time.

“One firefighter was taken to South Shore University Hospital with a minor injury to their hand,” WABC reported.

Although the damage has not yet been assessed, it is estimated that it may take months for the Peter Pan Diner to open again and welcome the public.

The news of the devastating fire at the Peter Pan Diner mobilized the local community, as well as its loyal customers, some of whom have been regulars since childhood.

Peter Pan Diner first opened its doors in 1955 and soon became a staple in the area. Lentzeres, whose family has run the diner since 1959, told WABC that “they haven’t closed for a day since the 1950s.”

However, the owner made it clear that the intention is to repair the damage and for the Peter Pan Diner to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

The local community of Bay Shore expressed its support to the owner and employees of the historic Peter Pan Diner. Lentzeres hopes to reopen the diner soon, as the situation is especially pressing for the workers who lost their jobs at a moment’s notice.

“I couldn’t stop crying. It’s so sad. I just can’t believe it. It’s overwhelming. This is like family,” Elsa Talavera, who has worked at the diner for 13 years, told NBC.

On the same wavelength, waitress, Laura Rizzo came to the scene to meet with her colleagues and her employer, in an effort to understand what happened and to give each other courage.

“I’m attached. This is my family. These are my sisters,” she told NBC.

Immediately after the fire, local residents and loyal customers put up a sign in the area surrounding the burned restaurant, which reads “Peter Pan Diner and their employees are in the Community’s thoughts and prayers.”

“I’ve been coming here since I was 7 years old… I was heartbroken,” Chastity Mott, who drove to the scene from Port Jefferson when she heard about the fire, told NBC.

The family of worker Joann Mierzwa launched a GoFundMe page to support her and her colleagues (Elsa Talavera, Laura Rizzo, Michelle Trillo). The campaign started with a goal of $5,000 and by July 10, more than half of the amount had already been raised. More information is available online for those interested in making a donation: https://shorturl.at/IWsXQ.

Peter Pan Diner, with nearly 70 years in the Bay Shore area, has become a landmark for the area, attracting, at times, some very famous customers from the political, sports, and artistic worlds. In fact, as reported by NBC, a collage of photos of the diner’s patrons includes former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and singer Rod Stewart.

While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, it is thought “to be electrical in nature,” NBC reported.