A well-known garden centre and flower shop in Simcoe, Ont., was destroyed by an early-morning fire Thursday.
The Norfolk County Fire Department was called to 777 Norfolk Street North at around 4:30 a.m. by a passing ambulance. When they arrived, they found the Ryerse’s Garden Gallery ablaze, said Norfolk assistant fire chief James Robertson.
“Crews were met with a fully engulfed commercial building. It has a garden gallery, potted plants, patio furniture, anything you can think of, really,” Robertson said.
By about 9 a.m., the fire was under control but not out, he added.
The 6,000 square foot building was completely destroyed. The fire marshal’s office will be investigating.
No one was in the building at the time of the fire.
Initial concerns about fertilizer inside the building were unfounded, and runoff into a nearby creek was also prevented, Robertson said.
Simcoe Road North, a major thoroughfare, was expected to be closed near the business for most of the morning as crews continued to douse hot spots and investigate.
