Jun 2, 2010 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

Fire ripped through a North Union Township restaurant Tuesday morning. Volunteer firefighters from North Union responded to a blaze at Vinny’s Drive Inn, a Fayette County landmark, at 1225 Connellsville Road around 10:30 a.m.

Owner John Galie, who said he purchased the popular diner in 1992 from Vincent and Gloria Weaver of Lemont Furnace, said he was working at the restaurant when the fire began.

Galie said the fire started in the south wall of the building as he was working to try to repair a pipe that had burst over the winter.

“I was heating a pipe in the wall to remove a fitting and the guy who was helping me had to leave,” Galie said Tuesday, as he looked over the charred remains of his business.

“When I came back to the pipe, the wall was smoking. I emptied an entire fire extinguisher on it and then called the fire department. Luckily, no one was injured and we do have insurance.”

The interior of the building sustained extensive fire, smoke and water damage, officials said.

The fire was ruled an accident.

Firefighters cut a large hole in the front of the building, removing the part of the “Vinny’s” sign from the outside wall, as they tried to ventilate smoke from the blaze.

Built in 1967, the restaurant was a place for many area residents to grab an ice cream cone or enjoy homemade french fries.

Galie said he has already contacted a restoration company regarding repairs to the building.

It might not be constructed exactly the same, but we will rebuild and reopen,” Galie said, noting that it is too early to predict when the restaurant would open again.

The Uniontown Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services team provided hot and cold beverages to emergency personnel.