Crew at Kranky Franky's vows to pick up the pieces following early-morning fire

By Nate Giarnese

Fire tore through the front of an Ossipee landmark on Route 16 Wednesday, leaving ambitious renovations in shambles and a tight-knit crew at Kranky Franky's restaurant stunned but vowing to pick up the pieces.Frank Bumbaca, owner of what was once the 1930s-era Sunny Villa Restaurant, said he was called at his home in Maine by an ex-employee with a police scanner around 5 a.m. Do you know your building's on fire?" the caller told BumbacaThe state fire marshal did not immediately determine a cause but said the fire was not suspicious and no one was hurt.Bumbaca, his wife Jill and son Tim Carnes bought what years ago had been Sunny Villa on a view-rich crest on 16 just north of Hannafords nine years ago. Since, they have revamped the famous Yankee eatery building into a bustling commercial complex, anchored by Kranky's, a popular lunch spot, and Sunny Villa Ice Cream. They added tenants, including a hair salon, and last year built a fitness gym with a brand new juice bar and treadmills looking over miles of mountains.I just signed up a couple of new (gym) members yesterday; I feel bad for them, Carnes said.Suddenly, the power is shut down and half of the building is blackened. Bumbaca says it will be at least a month of repair work and ensuring the pipes don't freeze before the place is fixed up. It's going to be a nightmare, he said.Tenant Cindi Davy said the destruction was a dispiriting setback for the family and a devoted band of workers.It's just sad, you guys worked so hard, Davy, who rents space for her Curves business, said as the first snowflakes of the year whipped by on icy mountain winds.Sunny Villa, which boasted succulent roast meals and breathtaking views of the White Mountains, dates back to a bygone era when steaks cost less than what customers might now pay for a soda.Franky's cook Hati Couture of Wakefield said nostalgia routinely gripped Franky's patrons who stopped by for the view and saw 1930s Villa menus on the wall. They say, 'I remember this menu. I paid $1.25 for that steak,' she said.The elegant memorabilia was saved, she said, in the blaze that the fire marshal said was not related to any of the businesses, including a tanning salon.It's definitely in the stairwell, assistant state fire marshal John Southwell said. The building was secure; there is no reason to believe anything was suspicious.Portions of the building, including in the restaurant, were not badly burned but may have sustained smoke damage, he said.The electrical system needs to be looked at, Southwell added.The summer crew was gone for the season but some hardy workers came out to brave the cold and survey the fire damage.This is just insane, Couture said.Carolyn Blair, a Franky's worker who painted the new gym, said reality was just starting to sink in. But she said she was determined to support the Bumbacas. They take care of us like a family, she said. I'm trying to be positive.Police shut down Route 16 for about two hours, setting up detours that complicated the early-morning commute.I got delayed because of the fire, said Carroll County Commission chairman David Sorensen, who was on his way from his home in Eaton when he was slowed by the massive emergency response.