TRAVERSE CITY -- A business in Gaylord is destroyed and several others are severley damaged after a fire ripped through a mall plaza last night.
7&4 News is told the fire started just before midnight at the Alpine Laundry & Dry Cleaners off West Main Street in Gaylord.
Several surrounding fire departments were called in to battle the blaze and were still on the scene for more than 8 hours putting out hot spots.
Not only is the dry cleaner destroyed, several other businesses in the Alpine Mall Plaza were damaged by smoke and water.
One of those buildings is the location where the Otsego County Toys for tots donations are sorted and dropped off. It's also where the United Way keeps all of it's clothing donations for the Otsego County Community Giving Program. We're told they lost nearly $15,000 worth of toys and about $6,000 worth of clothing donations.
The cause of the fire is not known at this time.
If you would like to help restock the donations for Toys for Tots you can make out a check to Toys for Tots and drop it off at the United Way building located at 115 East 5th Street in Gaylord. You can also drop off new toys at this location.
If you would like to donate clothing you can drop it off at the United Way location. You can also drop off a check to buy clothing, and make it out to United Way.
