Published: June 09, 2008 12:38 pm         

Fire destroys Bellaire restaurant

BELLAIRE -- An early morning fire gutted Gio's Trattoria Grille restaurant along M-88 just outside the village limits.

The fire was reported around 3 a.m. today and caused substantial damage to the building near the intersection of M-88 and Shanty Creek Road, said Capt. Chuck Shumaker of the Bellaire Department.

"I would say it's pretty close to a total loss," Shumaker said.

The restaurant is owned by Greg and Crystal Vereyken, who also own and operate a Gio's restaurant in Kalkaska.

Fire crews from Bellaire, Alden and Mancelona responded and were on the scene for nearly seven hours, Shumaker said. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. No injuries were reported.