WYNANTSKILL -- A fire destroyed Villa Valenti restaurant on
West Sand Lake Road Tuesday evening. Wynantskill Fire Chief James Burt said at
its height nearly 100 firefighters from 12 departments assisted with the blaze.
Crews were called to the popular Italian restaurant just before 7 p.m. and
found heavy smoke coming from its basement. Firefighters were initially able to
go inside, but were forced back because of the structural instability.
Two aerial trucks were used to spray water from overhead, while several
firefights worked to spray water on all sides. Around 10:30 p.m. many fire
departments were released ahead of an excavator arriving to help dig for
hotspots.
Burt said the restaurant is normally closed Mondays and Tuesday. No
firefighters were injured.
Fire investigators were on the scene, but were unable to begin their
investigation to determine a cause until the fire was extinguished.
