When a corner deli went up in flames on Wednesday morning, so did a small part of its Williamsburg community.
The fire broke out at Broadway and Walton Street just before 5:30 a.m.
More than 130 first responders worked throughout the early morning in bitterly cold conditions to bring the fire under control.
The deli and its owner are a staple in the community.
“I’m in shock I just can’t believe it,” said customer Jessica Rodriguez. “Every morning I’m passing to get coffee. The owner is wonderful, if I’m short money he says it’s on me.”
Rodriguez stopped by her neighborhood deli every day.
“When I walked in it was warm, joy, good morning, happy New Year, ordered my bagel with butter and cheese, and coffee,” she said.
The three-story building’s tenants up above also got out without injury, but a burnt-out shell of a deli and apartments remain.
“You should see it in the morning before school starts, in the afternoon when it dismisses, there’s just kids coming here, they get their sodas, their snacks and socialize on the corner,” said IS 318 teacher Mike Lorenz.