A massive fire overnight destroyed five businesses in downtown Thomaston, including a beloved breakfast and lunch spot that's been in the community for decades.

Patti's Place has been a staple since 1990, thanks to owners Mike and Patti Kelley.

"This is our life. Thomaston and that coffee shop was our life," shared Patti Kelley, as she stood beside her husband and broke down in tears.

The business has now been reduced to charred rubble. But ask anyone in the small town, and they can describe it vividly.

"Patti's Place is your neighborhood restaurant. The people are so kind and amazing. The owners are amazing. I have two sons, ages 10 and 7, and that's their favorite place to go to," said Stephanie Wheelahan, who owns the yoga studio across the street.

"From the minute you walk into the door, you feel right at home," stated lifetime Thomaston resident Gary Wilson.

"Everybody knows Patti, and Patti knows everyone," added Derek Savoy, who goes there almost daily.

Thomaston's population is about 7,500, many of whom came out to see the destruction once hearing the news. Customers used the word "devastating" over and over.

The Thomaston Fire Department responded to Main Street around 10:15 p.m. Tuesday night and soon called for help from surrounding towns.

"It was a very stubborn fire," Thomaston Fire Chief Glenn Clark told News 12.

Clark said the building that was home to Patti's Place and four other businesses is about 100 years old, which caused challenges for fire crews. But the biggest issue was the subzero temperatures.

"We had a hydrant that wouldn't open because it froze. We had lines that were freezing. One of my first two apparatus froze up so we were dead in the water with that. Our aerial was up and working, and it got frozen. Another department's gauges froze. The firefighters were coated with ice from the spray," Clark explained.

Dozens of firefighters spent several hours on scene. Clark said he brought a school bus in so crews could warm up when they rotated out. He also called in an excavator to help put out hotspots because of the building's layout.

"The excavator would pull all that material to us so we could put it out," Clark stated, adding the fire was completely out at 9:30 a.m.

Local police, state police and the state fire marshal were also on scene.

"I organized some food drives for the first responders here and the outpour from the community has been incredible," Wheelahan said. "We've had over 30 sandwiches delivered from a general store in Northfield. We have food, coffee, snacks, all stockpiled in the yoga studio. I've been bringing them out all morning."

Despite the challenging conditions, there were no injuries.

"It's absolutely wonderful that none of our firemen, none of our EMTs, none of our emergency services—nobody got hurt. Nobody was in the building. Somebody's watching over us," Patti Keley told News12.

That might sound like a strange thing to say after losing everything. But that's who the Kellys are, according to everyone in town. They bring food to the elderly and shut-ins. They feed first responders. And they treat their customers like family.

Gary Wilson said his 95-year-old aunt eats there six days a week.

"She does not see very well, and they'll come out and help her in. They'll even bring her home sometimes if she needs a ride home. They check in on her if she doesn't show up. And that's small town. It's what Thomaston is all about," Wilson shared.

Derek Savoy said he became a regular, in part, because he works a lot, and Patti's Place opened at 4 a.m.

"About 4:05 a.m., I call in my same order every day, and it's amazing—the smile, the personality, everything they give off, even at 4 a.m.," Savoy said.

That's part of the reason Savoy set up a fundraising effort for the Kelleys as soon as he learned about the fire.

"I couldn't fathom being in their shoes, so I went ahead and started a GoFundMe," Savoy told News 12.

"I know the community's going to rally to support all the business owners," Wheelahan stated.

"Thomaston is a special place. There's nowhere like it in the world. I'm sure of that," said Patti Kelley emotionally. "This is just what I always wanted to do, and I got to do it. I hope I have an opportunity to do it again."