Flames tear through greenhouse nursery in Simcoe

A greenhouse nursery in Simcoe, Ont. was almost completely destroyed in a fire early Thursday morning.

A greenhouse nursery in Simcoe, Ont. was almost completely destroyed in a fire early Thursday morning.

Firefighters were called to Ryerse Garden Gallery around 4:30 a.m.

“The fire was actually first noticed by a paramedic crew that was driving by,” explained James Robertson, the assistant chief for the Norfolk Fire Department.

According to officials, the response from firefighters almost came too late.

“[It was a] very large fire,” Robertson said. “Heavy flames were coming from the front of the building and the south end of the building. The flames were so intense we actually had to evacuate to a neighbour just as a precaution.”

He added that the emergency response was significant.