Pocono News Section

Greenhouse Fire Causes Extensive Damage

Greenhouse Fire Causes Extensive Damage - Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 4:45PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008 @ 04:45pm EST

NANTICOKE, LUZERNE COUNTY -- Flames broke out at Varsity Greenhouses around 2:30am Wednesday, destroying an office and storage area.

The fire threatened nearly 30,000 poinsettias in an attached greenhouse, but quick work by about 30 firefighters saved the holiday plant supply.

"Part of our job is protecting exposures," said Nanticoke Fire Chief Mike Bohan. "Once the smoke cleared, we discovered the poinsettias."

The owner wasn't available to talk, but a manager says the poinsettias are worth at least $150,000. That could've meant a huge loss in sales for the company. However, the fire destroyed paperwork, numerous pots, and a tractor, among other supplies.

The plants had to be moved from a greenhouse where the coal-heating system was ruined to a nearby gas-heated greenhouse. The manager says it'll cost more money to heat that greenhouse, but he's just happy the poinsettias were saved.

Varsity Greenhouses has fire insurance. A state police fire marshal is investigating the cause, but it does not appear suspicious.