The Milleridge Inn, historic Long Island restaurant and event venue, damaged by fire

The Milleridge Inn in Jericho went up in flames Thursday night. 

It's a piece of Long Island history, dating back centuries. It's one of the oldest operating restaurants in America; the main restaurant dates all the way back to 1672. 

The fire left many who have decades of memories there heartbroken. 

The place where generations of families celebrated was scarred by flames when a fast-moving fire burned through the second floor. 

The Long Island landmark is now closed while officials assess the damage. 

"Thank God there was no one inside, no one injured," owner Butch Yamali said. 

Yamali said the nearby structures, including the inn's village and cottage, were not damaged, and weddings there will go on as planned. Only the restaurant in the original building was impacted, and smaller events held there can be moved outside the venue. 

"We are going to make sure everyone is covered, we have other venues that we own. If I have to do it in my own backyard, that's where I will do it," Yamali said. 

Fire officials say the fire was accidental, and believe it started due to electrical issues. 

"Looking at issues about the weather, you know, was it the rain, did something affect it? The one thing we can tell you is that it's a very old building, and that cedar shake usually goes up like kindle," Nassau County Chief Fire Marshal Michael Uttaro said. 

The damage isn't just measured in what burned, but measured in decades of memories. It has been home to countless celebrations. 

"My grandson had his bar mitzvah there a few months ago. Other friends have had parties there," one woman said. 

"Makes me so sad. We love going there for brunch," said Jennifer Landsberg. 

For many Long Islanders, the thought of losing it for good is heartbreaking. 

"I am glad that it wasn't worse than it was," Rosemary Cuccaro said. "It would have been awful."

"This has been there forever, as long as I could remember, staple of the community," Ethan Brown said.    

Yamali is certain the inn will eventually reopen, and the Long Islanders who have made memories there will be waiting to make new ones.