Carmel firefighters enter the restaurant early on in the fire, as they battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

The roof of the restaurant collapsed early into the fire that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted Carmel at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Brewster firefighters assist Carmel battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendys in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene.( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene. ( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel chief Bob Lipton directs operations from the parking lot of Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene.( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

From left, Mahopac, Brewster and Carmel tower ladders operate at a fire that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel.( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

Carmel firefighters battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene.( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )

A Lake Carmel firefighter wearing a santa hat gets ready to battle a blaze that destroyed the Wendy's in the Putnam Plaza shopping center on Route 6 in Carmel. Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Brewster, and Mahopac assisted at the scene.( Frank Becerra Jr. / The Journal News )