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UPDATE: Lynch’s Garden Center Fire
At 4:21 p.m. on Friday, Dick Johnson Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to a commercial fire at Lynch's Garden Center. The fire was fed by 16 mph winds with gusts up to 24 mph. The fire fully engulfed a structure and then spread to two other buildings.
Those who came to assist included Posey VFD, Van Buren VFD, Seelyville VFD, Otter Creek Fire Dept, Brazil City Fire Dept, Cory VFD, Lewis VFD, Bellmore VFD, Centerpoint VFD, Clay County Sheriff Dept, Clay County EMA, Duke Energy, CenterPoint Energy, Red Cross, Staunton Ladies, and several off-duty volunteer firefighters.
Dick Johnson VFD Chief Kevin Orme explained the cause of the fire and explosion is undetermined and still under investigation.
"The garage was full of industrial equipment; it's hard to tell what went off inside it," explained Chief Orme. "There was extensive damage to the garage, two outbuildings, and the house."
Chief Orme states the fire was in the attic of the home, and responders were able to save part of the house.
There were no injuries to first responders, customers, or homeowners. However, the family lost several pets in the fire.
Orme said first responders were on the scene Friday until 11:30 p.m. and returned on Saturday to address a few "hot spots."
Lynch's Garden Center is currently open. Orme hopes the community will do what it does best: rally and support its neighbors.
"Lynch's is a good family-owned business that has been in our township for a long time. They're great people. They're still in business, and we need to support them."
**FAMILY UPDATE**
On Friday evening, as heavy black smoke filled the sky and sirens came from what felt like every direction, many people knew about the fire at 9300 Bloock of North Kennedy Crossing Road: It was Lynch’s Garden Center.
The local business took to social media to let the community know they were safe on Facebook.
The succinct post read, “There is a fire on the property. Multiple fire departments have responded. The garden center and sales building are intact, and they are doing everything they can to contain the fire. Everyone is SAFE!”
More than 10 various first responder agencies from in and out of Clay County, along with many off-duty officers, worked to contain and put out the fire that could be seen for miles.
The fire was still smoldering on Saturday morning while the Lynch family and friends opened for business and began cleaning up the mess.
“We are lucky,” said a family member. “We hope to get this all cleaned up and be ready to serve the community with their planting needs as soon as possible.”
The Lynch family and their business have been influential in the community for many years. They admittedly were shaken by the fire and not ready to talk yet.
The Brazil Times respects the family's request for privacy.
“They are a very private family.” said the family member. “But I do know one thing they would like to share. The fire departments here, and there were so many; took such good care of our family in the middle of all that was going on. We want to thank them so much, and thank the community for its support.”
BOUNCING BACK
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who experience loss from a tragic event like a structure fire, especially to their home or business, can be overwhelmed as they deal with several layers of grief: Losing a home due to a fire involves not only the loss of the residence, but also many other things of value such as photo albums, important documents, and treasured mementos.
The emotional challenges of a feeling of overall loss, evacuation, relocation, and rebuilding after a fire are just the beginning of the healing process.
POSTED 042624 By HAYLEY COOPER, Times Reporter
Please avoid N Kennedys Crossing Rd. as first responders are fighting an active fire and possible explosion at Lynch's Garden Center. Witnesses say they heard what sounded like gunshots before significant black smoke was seen billowing from the area.
Multiple fire departments have responded to the scene, and no injuries have been reported.