Long time Simcoe business destroyed by early morning fire Thursday

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An early morning fire destroyed a long-standing Simcoe business on Thursday.

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Norfolk County firefighters responded at about 4:30 a.m. to Ryerse’s Garden Gallery at 777 Norfolk Street, North.

The storefront at the property was fully involved when fire crews arrived.

“The fire was first noticed (and reported) by an ambulance that was driving by,” said James Robertson, assistant fire chief with the Norfolk County Fire Department.

Doug Mcken, who lives a few doors down from the business, said he heard “popping sounds” when he got up at about 4:30 a.m. He said he saw flames when he looked out his front window.

Business owner Dave Rusling and his family members watched as firefighters worked to battle the fire.

Rusling, who has owned the business since 1989, said the fire marshal’s office will need to investigate but it’s believed the fire started in one greenhouse “but they don’t know where.”

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“But that was in the middle of that electrical storm,” he said, adding there is potential it was struck by lightning.

“We don’t really know what happened,” Rusling said. “At this point we’re just waiting to get this mess over with and can start to move on from there.”

The storefront of the garden centre was destroyed while flowering plants on the northside of the property appear to be untouched. A couple greenhouses also remain standing.

An investigator from the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office was at the scene on Thursday and said he would continue at the site on Friday.

A large section of Norfolk Street N. – Highway 24 was closed to traffic for several hours.

Ryerse’s is located on a busy section of Norfolk Street N. (Highway 24) that is mostly residential. The business includes a large storefront as well as greenhouses.

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