Massive fire engulfs Ryerse’s Garden Gallery in Simcoe

The Norfolk County Fire Department responded around 4:30 a.m. to a massive structure fire at Ryerse’s Garden Gallery in Simcoe.

The shop owner David Rusling says Ryerse’s has been a popular community staple since he acquired it in 1989. He believes last night’s lightning storm may have been the cause. “That’s the determination we’ve got. Lightning around three o’clock this morning.”

“No one expects any disasters in their life but this one here is like, a real disaster,” Rusling said.

Norfolk Fire says no one was hurt. They told CHCH News that the fire was found by a paramedic crew passing nearby that saw heavy flames and smoke.

“Upon our arrival fire crews were met with a fully engulfed structure fire. They were forced to take defensive operations, thanks to their actions they were able to save the other subsequent buildings from being affected.”

Rusling was on scene today surveying the damage. He says the response from the community has been overwhelming.

“The community has poured out every nice comment you could ever dream of. This place has been around a long long long time,” Rusling said.

Ryerse’s Garden Gallery has been operated in Norfolk since 1912. CHCH News spoke with a man who says he used to work there as a teenager in the 60s. He says this is a devastating loss for him and the community.

The Ontario Fire Marshal has been called in to investigate. At this time, the cause of the fire remains unknown.