Fire damages apartments and women’s clinic in Mendota

The carpet has been ripped out of the Abigail Women’s Clinic. The ceiling will have to be torn out too. The medical and counseling center for women in Mendota was left with smoke and water damage after a fire Monday night.

The fire started in an upstairs apartment. Betty Pappas is with the clinic. She says many of their clients stopped by Wednesday to see if they would be open but given the damage and cleanup ahead she says it will be a couple of weeks yet.

The clinic offers free pregnancy tests and early childhood education help. It relies on donations. Pappas says she’s grateful for their volunteers.