BY LINDSAY VANHULLE
lvanhulle@record-eagle.com
GAYLORD — A large fire started in downtown Gaylord and spread to multiple businesses, authorities said.
The fire started shortly before 9 p.m. Wednesday near Main Street and Otsego Avenue, witnesses said. It may have ignited in an old warehouse on Mitchell Street, one block north of Main Street, and spread to nearby businesses, said state police Sgt. Brian Lewis in Gaylord.
At least four businesses were involved, Lewis said, but which ones and the extent of the damage was unknown late Wednesday.
Two downtown employees said flames did not appear to be visible at close to 10 p.m., but heavy smoke was still present. At one point, flames seemed to reach 30 feet high, said Ron Watson, owner of Pizza Tonite, located a couple of blocks from the fire.
It was difficult to tell which businesses caught fire, said Wendy Fleming, a bartender at the Sugar Bowl restaurant on Main Street.
Authorities closed parts of the street, witnesses said.
"I could see when I was out in the alley," Fleming said. "It's smoky in here, so we had to send our customers on their way."
Check record-eagle.com for updates.
