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Denny's Market, on South Main, a popular supermarket in Otisville for 36 years, was consumed by flames and destroyed.

"Everyone here is just figuring what they're going to do," said Forest Township Assistant Fire Chief David Lutze. "There are many elderly in the community who have shopped there for years. The closest other stores are in Davison or Millington."

Firefighters were called to the scene about 7:18 p.m. Friday. A store manager noticed the fire which could have been brewing in the ceiling for hours, said Lutze.

"A store manager determined there was a fire and she got everyone out," Lutze said. "The wind was blowing north to south and It swept through quickly inside the building. If anything could have gone wrong, it seemed like it did."

Consumers Energy was unable to shut off the natural gas and firefighters were hampered by a lack of water.

"It was like a furnace inside the building," Lutze said. "We had to leave the inside."

Forest Township firefighters were assisted by numerous other fire agencies, including Deerfield Township and Otter Lake from Lapeer County.

"I think everyone in Genesee County was involved one way or another," Lutze said. "I also heard that Elba and Lapeer helped out."

Firefighters battled until about 4:30 a.m., Saturday and Lutze and other firefighters remained on the scene for 11 hours more, looking for hot spots. Firefighters and an excavator worked side by side.

No one was injured. The cause remains under investigation at press time. The 28,000-square-feet building is a complete loss. Replacement estimates weren't determined at press time.

The family-run store has been operating in the community since 1976. CO-owner Dennis Loomis, who knew most of his customers by name, couldn't be reached by press time Tuesday.

"It will be missed," said Forest Township Clerk Debbie Banyas.

Susan Younger may be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8122 or susan.younger@lapeergroup.com.