EAST HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) -- A community effort is underway to raise money for the workers impacted by a massive fire that destroyed part of a popular beer garden and restaurant in East Harlem just days before Thanksgiving.

Santiago's Beer Garden in East Harlem was reduced to ashes after a ball of flames sent patrons and workers scrambling to safety around 6 p.m. Wednesday night.

"Me and a customer tried to put it out, but we couldn't do much" said Dixon Mayas, who works at the beer garden.

Mayas said they tried to use fire extinguishers, but the fire was spreading too fast.

Investigators say the flames from the beer garden burst through apartment windows on the upper floors of these two buildings next door on First Avenue near 120th Street.

Both issued vacate orders on Thursda

See Full Page