North Greenbush

As fire investigators poked through the charred remains of the half-century-old Villa Valenti restaurant on Wednesday, the Valenti family gathered nearby to mourn.

A wake of sorts was under way at the West Sand Lake Road home of family matriarch Emma Esposito Valenti after a roaring blaze on Tuesday evening destroyed the restaurant, just up the road at the corner of Route 150.

"We are all in shock," said Kim Lindeman, the niece of the restaurant's operator, Ralph Valenti.

Family, friends, employees and neighbors dropped by to offer their condolences to Emma Valenti, whose husband, Samuel Valenti, opened the business in the mid-1950s. He died at the age of 90 in 2006.

The landmark restaurant, known for its generous servings, was a popular setting for wedding banquets and special occasions. For years, diners were given a free meal on their birthday.

"That was a tradition," Lindeman said.

Whether to rebuild the restaurant hasn't been decided yet.

"We can't even think right now," Lindeman said.

The blaze put about 50 employees out of work.

Bree Marano and Victoria Niedbalec, who are tenants of Emma Valenti and worked part time at the restaurant, ran to the scene on Tuesday when they heard the building was on fire.

"The flames were shooting up and the Villa Valenti sign collapsed and fell in just as we got here," Marano said Wednesday.

The two women stared at the charred mess and wept as their thoughts turned to Emma Valenti, who taught them, among other things, the art of making delicious meatballs.

"She was not doing too well last night and she's very upset about this and we feel terrible for her," Niedbalec said. "She is such a great lady."

About 100 firefighters from 12 fire departments battled the quick-moving fire.

The blaze likely started in the basement, fire officials said. A cause had yet to be determined on Wednesday afternoon.

No one was reported to have been injured in the fire, which began just before 7 p.m.

According to authorities, the first firefighters to arrive said they saw heavy smoke coming from the rear of the restaurant. The flames quickly spread through the building, which was reportedly made of wood.

Firefighters initially had trouble getting water on the fire because of low water pressure.

Firefighters also tried to enter the building but were ordered back as the intensity of the fire increased. By 9 p.m., Villa Valenti was gone.

The restaurant, which was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, was empty when the fire started.

Samuel Valenti, a Troy native and the son of Italian immigrants, was born into the restaurant business. His parents were the founders of Troy's Volcano Restaurant on Ferry Street, which they opened in 1908. It was operated by the family for more than 70 years.

Sam Valenti moved to Wynantskill in the mid-1950s and opened Villa Valenti, his son Ralph said in his father's 2006 obituary.

A Villa Valenti trademark was its thick, flavorful red pasta sauce. When a customer years ago suggested that the family bottle and sell it, they did and a version of it became a popular item on grocery store selves across the country — minus Emma's secret recipe.

The product will still be available despite the loss of the restaurant. It is made and packaged by a Canadian company and the proceeds go to the Prevent Child Abuse in America organization, Lindeman said.

Villa Valenti's demise has saddened diners and employees alike.

"When you were there, you felt like you were part of a family," Niedbalec said. "I hope they can come back."

bgardinier@timesunion.com • 518-454-5696 • @BobGardinier