An apartment building in Little Lake near the Brown’s Store on M-35 is seen engulfed in flames early this morning. Firefighters from Forsyth, Sands, Skandia, West Branch, Chocolay, Marquette and Richmond Township and the Marquette County Search and Rescue Unit 131 assisted on the scene. (Journal photo by Ashley Hendrix)

LITTLE LAKE — Local authorities cleared the scene of a structure fire in Forsyth Township at approximately 3 p.m. after responding to the fire just after 6 a.m. Friday morning.

Marquette County Central Dispatch received the call about a fire at an apartment building, located at 1687 E-M35, in Little Lake near Brown’s Store at 6:04 a.m.

No injuries were reported and all pets made it out of the building safely.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

As of 1 p.m. today, the Michigan State Police said M-35 has reopened after the state highway was closed around 9:21 a.m. today.

The Forsyth Township Department of Public Works tore down the building early Friday afternoon, according to the Forsyth Township Facebook page.

Emergency supplies such as food and blankets were provided by the American Red Cross, St. Vincent de Paul and Salvation Army on scene this morning. Officials are currently working with the five families who were displaced due to the fire, said Brian Hummel, disaster program manager with the American Red Cross Marquette office.

“Going forward, we’ll be providing case work with those families and we have the fire hall reserved in Forsyth Township (Saturday) at noon to actually sit down and meet with the families that were displaced,” Hummel said.

The Red Cross is providing financial assistance to those displaced for local hotels and as well as offering mental health services, medical equipment and any medications they may need. The organization will work with the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul to supply families with household items.

“If individuals have the resources they’d like to donate, feel free to contact the Red Cross or reach out to the Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul. We all work very closely together and are happy to get any resources,” Hummel said.

He added that the Red Cross is able to provide their services with the help of volunteers and encouraged any interested to consider volunteering.

Area businesses and organizations are collecting donations for those displaced. Drop-off sites include the Ishpeming Elks Club, Dis n’ Dat and Shannon’s Home Cooking, where anyone affected can also get a hot meal. There is also a donation can at Brown’s Store.

To stay up to date on donations and what is still needed by the families, check the “That’s a Win in Gwinn” Facebook page.

Forsyth Township Fire and EMS and authorities from the townships of Sands, Skandia, West Branch, Richmond, Chocolay and Marquette assisted on the scene. The Marquette County Search and Rescue Unit 131 also supplied support.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206.