DELMONT (KDKA) – A firefighter was injured while battling a blaze that destroyed a Westmoreland County building that houses a restaurant and bar, and an apartment on the third floor on Friday morning.

According to officials at the scene, the blaze broke out around 9 a.m. in the attic of Carney’s Corner near the intersection of Route 66 and Old Route 22 in Delmont.

A man who lives above the bar was at work when the fire broke out. Initially, he was concerned his 16- and 11-year-old kids were home, but later found out they were already at school.

When crews arrived, they were met with extensive flames and the fire caused the roof to collapse.

“I know it sounds cliché, but Dante’s Inferno,” said James Moore, the fire victim. “The flames were coming out, the smoke was coming out.”

The injured firefighter was taken to the hospital with a foot injury.

There were no other reported injuries, but Moore’s two dogs were killed in the fire.

“We’ve lost everything, but that’s replaceable. My kids are irreplaceable,” said Moore. “The dogs, well that’s one more speed bump in life that I’m going to get over. I don’t give up.”

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. It appears to have started in the attic.

Moore says he did not have renters’ insurance, but is being helped by the Red Cross.

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