Major fire breaks out at Scott's Nursery

A major fire broke out Monday at Scott's Nursery, a landmark gardening centre, about 10 kilometres southeast of Fredericton.

Thick black smoke was visible from several kilometres away as it billowed out of the nursery, located in Lincoln, N.B.

Employees were evacuated and police closed part of Lincoln Road, forcing area residents returning from work to walk to their homes. But no homes were evacuated.

Scott's owner, George Scott, a well-known gardening expert, was on vacation in Newfoundland with his children. But his wife, Jeanette Scott, was in her home when the fire started. She told CBC News there was an explosion in the soil room of the greenhouse.

Through tears, she described the damage to the third-generation family business as devastating. She said hundreds of thousands of dollars in inventory had been lost.

Firefighters did manage to rescue Scott's two pet iguanas.

Fredericton and Oromocto fire departments were still trying to get the blaze under control as dozens of area residents and passersby looked on. Some firefighters had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Ambulances were also on the scene.

Scott's greenhouses, plant inventory, fertilizers and bulk soils cover more than two hectares.