Rhode Island Applebee's is facing potential total loss after an early morning fire

Cranston, Rhode Island (WJAR) — A fire at an Applebee's restaurant in Rhode Island caused extensive damage Wednesday morning.

The Cranston Fire Department believes the building could be a total loss following the early morning fire.

Firefighters were at the restaurant on Midway Road when the flames became visible.

However, the department told NBC 10 they believe the fire may have started around 1 a.m., just before closing time

Logic goes that the fire smoldered until it became visible later that morning.

An NBC 10 news crew observed flames visible from the roof and witnessed a partial roof collapse.

Clouds of smoke could also be seen. The smoke could even be seen from NBC 10's tower cameras.

The site is near a residential neighborhood in Garden City, and numerous neighbors left their homes to watch the fire's response.

“This restaurant and this place and the people from Garden City come from all over Rhode Island to come to this Applebees and now it's burning and it's really sad to see it sitting here taking in all the smoke,” John said Paul Brissette of Cranston.

Haley Burke used to live nearby.

“I remember coming here and my mom would always sit at Applebees. “It was always our go-to place,” Burke said.

She says she rushed to the scene.

“My first thought was that I need to look at it because I was worried about the old apartment. I know people who live there, so I was scared. “I drove here and it seems scary,” Burke said.

The restaurant is also adjacent to several other buildings, but firefighters were only able to contain the fire to Applebee's.

Officials believe this is due to the firewalls used by these companies.

“Thank goodness most of these buildings over here have fire protection. What protected the other buildings were the fire barriers,” said Fire Chief Robert Ryan.

The department believes the fire may have originated in the building's plumbing.

No injuries were reported.

Numerous fire departments were on site with the help of the surrounding communities.