MAYVILLE — The owner of a Mayville restaurant destroyed by fire has been charged with third-degree arson, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday morning.

The Mayville Diner, located at 7 W. Chautauqua St., was leveled by fire on Dec. 9.

Following an investigation by the Chautauqua Count Sheriff’s Office along with the Chautauqua County Fire Investigation Team, 40-year-old Michael S. Ellis was taken into custody on the felony charge. Ellis was taken to Chautauqua County Jail for centralized arraignment, and is scheduled to appear back in court later.

Firefighters from several volunteer departments were summoned to the diner shortly before 10:30 p.m. Smoke was spotted by Chautauqua County sheriff’s deputies in the area of the four corners in the village, and the fire at the diner was quickly confirmed.

The area surrounding the property was closed to traffic for several hours as firefighters tried to douse the blaze. Photographs and video posted to social media showed the building almost completely engulfed by flames.

Mayville firefighters were assisted by volunteers from Chautauqua, Dewittville, Hartfield, Sherman and Westfield. County EMS and the fire coordinators also responded.

“It was a longstanding icon,” said Shannon Biekarck. “This is devastating. We don’t have much here so this is huge. It leaves so many questions, it’s beyond heartbreaking. I stood here earlier in tears — it’s hard to put into words.”