A garden centre in Kent opened for business this week just a day after a fire swept through its main warehouse. The fire started at around 2.30 pm on Sunday afternoon, when shoppers, staff and pet shop animals were evacuated to safety.
Smoke from the fire at the Ruxley Manor garden centre in Sidcup could be seen from miles around as the building burned. More than 60 firefighters fought the blaze which was under control around four hours later. A 300m cordon was set up as a precaution because of gas canisters on the site.
The warehouse which was destroyed contained the garden centre’s main stock on site, including large items such as fence panels and water features.
Ruxley Manor is a family run business which has been going since 1964. James Evans, a director of the company, told thisislondon.co.uk: “The staff were excellent and they evacuated the centre and there were no injuries or casualties. We would be looking at a very different scenario if it wasn’t for the staff. The firefighters prevented it from spreading to the main retail area.”
See video and pictures of the fire
