Flames rip through Nippenose Valley greenhouse business
Heavy smoke pours from Country Acres Greenhouse on School House Road in Oval. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
Heavy smoke pours from Country Acres Greenhouse on School House Road in Oval. PHILIP HOLMES/Sun-Gazette
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OVAL – A three-alarm fire wiped out David King’s business, Country Acres Greenhouse, on School House Road in Limestone Township early Monday afternoon.
“The store and two greenhouses were on fire when firefighters arrived,” Nippenose Valley Fire Chief Dean Miller said.
Assistant Chief Jeff Stabley was the first on the scene and immediately ordered a second alarm, bringing multiple additional tankers from Lycoming, Clinton and Northumberland counties.
The fire, which has been ruled accidental, broke out about 12:15 p.m. Stabley, who directed operations, ordered a third alarm at 12:45 p.m. before the blaze, which destroyed the store and four greenhouses, was brought under control shortly after 1 p.m.
Radiant heat melted the siding of King’s home, about 30 feet from the store. However, firefighters were successful in stopping the flames from reaching the house.
Even though the temperature was only in the low 80s with little humidity at the time of the fire, the heat was brutal for firefighters.
With all the turnout gear that they have to wear, “It feels like you’re standing inside an oven. Your body temperature starts to boil,” Miller explained.
At least two firefighters reportedly needed medical attention; one for smoke inhalation and another for heat exhaustion.
Miller said it was believed the fire started in the area of a 20-pound propane inside the store.
“The tank vented under pressure, and the escaping gas found an ignition source, probably the pilot light in the freezer, and it (the fire) just took off from there,” Miller said in explaining what was believed to have sparked the blaze.