A GREENHOUSE at nurseries at St Owens Cross near Ross suffered substantial damage by fire in the early hours of Tuesday August 17th.

Two pumps and a water carrier from Ross, plus one pump from Whitchurch, attended the fire at Premier Plant Centre, following the alert at around 2.45am.

Six firefighters in breathing apparatus tackled the blaze using two hosereel jets and thermal imaging equipment. The fire was brought under control by 4.20am. Ventilation equipment was also used to help clear the smoke from the premises.

Nicky and Anthony Fraser, owners of the Premier Plant Centre, were awoken by sounds of popping and cracking, and saw flames leaping into the air. However, despite the damage, Nicky told the Ross Gazette: We are open for business as usual.

Station Manager Neil Lilwall said: Thankfully no one was injured, and although around a third of the greenhouse and the stock inside was damaged, the prompt and effective actions of firefighters prevented the fire spreading any further.

He suggested the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault.