A well-known Jefferson restaurant is destroyed after a fire tore through it early Sunday morning.

Crews from five fire departments fought the blaze that hit Larry's Restaurant and Lounge for more than three hours. Firefighters said it was a hard blaze to battle because the building's roof collapsed.

"When we got here, it was pretty well fully engulfed inside, so we can't really tell if it started up in the attic or down low. We've got to get in there and try to figure it out," said Jefferson Fire Chief Randy Love.

The building is a total loss, fire officials said. Several firemen were treated for minor injuries.

"It's got to be a big fire. At times, the flames were probably 20, 30 feet in the air. The ceiling was caving in," said Kurt Higgins, whose family owns a neighboring business.

Known for its Sunday buffet and Larry's prime rib, residents said the small restaurant has always been a local hotspot.

"Larry's been a part of the community for a long time. There's a restaurant and a bar in there. It's a well-known place, had a good buffet and things," said Higgins.

The family of the owner, who lived in the back of the restaurant many years ago, said they're shocked by the loss, but they're glad no one was inside when it happened.

"It's sad, obviously. (There's) a lot of memories, lots and lots of memories, but at least those are still there," said the restaurant owner's grandson, Nick Most. "We had Christmas up here, Christmas Eve night. Luke and I, my younger brother, we would help bus on Thanksgiving, Father's Day, Mother's Day, the busy days of the year."

Aside from the memories, family members said almost nothing remained where the restaurant has stood for the past 30 years.