FOWLER, Mich. (WSYM) — Two shops were destroyed and one was damaged in a fire on Saturday.
The fire started around 10 a.m.
"As time went on it got worse. Flames started shooting out, I don't even know what to think. It was sad," Samantha Hampton said.
Community members and fellow business on Sunday, reacting to the fire that took crews hours to put out. One of the businesses affected was Becker's Bridal which serves brides from all over the world. The owner, Michelle Mueller says her family started the business in 1934. Although the bridal part across the street is completely fine, the shop where mothers could get dresses is a total loss.
"It's just a loss of the pride and the building and the breathing you put into a place. Its kind of like a child when you have businesses and you put all of that into it," Mueller said.
Community members said the shops meant a lot to the town, and they know they will bounce back.
"Its how we rise above our losses. I know that Fowler is strong enough to withstand anything and a fire isn't going to keep us down," Brittany Koenigsknecht said.
The other businesses affected were The Kandle Shack and Quality Carpet. Members of the community added that within hours of the fire, there was a Gofundme set up for the family that was displaced in addition to people dropping off items and donations to Miller's Tavern across the street.
"Small communities and small pride. We help out, we pitch in and do what we can in times of need," Kristina Falor said.
Mueller says the town may be small, but businesses like hers are resilient.
"Can't give up at this point. I think its just one more notch that's going to make us do one more thing better. We'll see, the sky's the limit. No place to go but up," she said.
There were 14 fire departments that responded to the fire. One firefighter was injured but is OK. Firefighters say the fire is still under investigation, but believe it was an accident. There were no other injuries.
