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Community pitches in to help David Allen Motorsports fire recovery effort

Posted at 5:01 PM, Nov 08, 2014
and last updated 2014-11-10 11:35:42-05

FREMONT, MICH.--"On the other side of this door is a whole different world," said Dave Schwartz as he entered the torched building of David Allen Motorsports.

A world that was changed forever when a fire ripped through the building last Wednesday.

"It felt real from the get go," Schwartz said.

The fire destroyed 20,000 square feet. Schwartz says neighbors and employees rushed in to save as much as they could. After experiencing the worst, Schwartz says he saw the best from the community. Saturday more than 50 neighbors, friends and family returned to begin the rebuilding process.

"Whatever we can do to help, that's why we're here," said Justin Schuler, an employee. "We want to rebuild. We're really excited."

"Words can't even express the gratitude I have for the outpouring from everybody over the last few days," Schwartz said. "The outpouring of people that are here today."

Among all the rubble from the fire, one very special memory was left nearly untouched.

"As we were digging through my office, found this picture of my daughter buried in the rubble."

A sign of picking up the pieces, starting over and moving on, the only way David Allen Motorsports knows how.

"One foot in front of the other, is really the only way to keep moving. We're going to hit it 100 percent. Go back at it."

Schwartz says the company plans to rebuild on the same land. They will be open Monday from the warehouse. If you're interested in helping you can reach out via Facebook, or Schwartz says to stop by.