VIDEO: The stretch of shops on Superior Street in the Three Lakes form a tight knit business community.
Wednesday night that community supported workers at 3 Lakes Diner, as they watched the place they work go up in flames.
Superior Street was filled with fire trucks as firefighters worked to contain the flames and save what little was left of the building.
"There was black smoke billowing out the back side of the diner," said Luann Avery.
Avery was helping a customer at her shop, White Deer Wine & Spirits, when she noticed the smoke coming out of 3 Lakes Diner across the street.
"It just kept getting worse and the smoke started billowing out underneath the eaves," said Avery.
Firefighters arrived to flames that were already out of control. To Jo Pfeiffer, the diner was more than just a building. It was the place where her daughter, son, and grandchildren worked with her.