Owego, NY (WBNG Binghamton) An electrical problem sparked a fire that ripped through an apartment building in Owego.
Tioga investigators says the electrical fire started in a wall of the diner below.
12 people are without a home tonight.
As Action News Reporter Leigh Dana tells us, the diner's owner and customers are all devastated.
"I don't even want to look at it. I'm sad this happened," Bill Arbanitis, owner of Bill's Diner in Owego is stunned over a fire that destroyed his 12 year old business and building.
Friday afternoon crews were actively boarding it up.
Friday morning, people down the block could see the shooting flames and smell the smoke.
"I heard the alarm at 5:00 this morning and smelled smoke and I didn't know where the fire was but it did feel like it was a local spot," said neighbor Gerri Wiley.
People living in apartments above the diner were inside when the fire started.
Firefighters rescued one person who was trapped.
Everyone else got out safely.
"I used to come in here for a tuna sandwich and it's like the Cheers Bar. Where everyone knows your name and they cared about you," sad Wiley.
And the neighborhood cared about the diner.
Many people in the village passed by throughout the day to reminisce over the good times they've had at the diner.
"It's kind of a shock. You know things like this happen but when it happens to a place you've been many times, it brings it much more immediate," said Wes Ernsberger.
"They had the fantastic meals there and stuff. Like I said I used to order lemon peppered chicken," said Patricia Owens.
The owner says he is considering rebuilding the diner. A place where so many families here in Owego shared so many memories. I
In Owego, Leigh Dana, WBNG TV Action News.
The Owego fire department says the building is a loss.
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