CARIBOU — More than fifty firefighters from five communities spent more than four hours into Friday morning extinguishing a blaze that destroyed a portion of a Caribou business.
Phil’s Florist and Greenhouses, located on Washburn Street, caught fire sometime before 9 p.m. Thursday, according to Caribou Fire Chief Scott Susi.
He said Friday that a passing motorist called the fire department after noticing flames flickering inside the windows of the business, which included a store and attached greenhouses.
When firefighters arrived, the main building was engulfed in flames and “the roof had collapsed due to smoke and heat,” the fire chief said. “But we were able to get to it quickly. The greenhouses are intact. I think that the store portion of the business is going to be a total loss due to the damage.”
Susi said firefighters from Presque Isle, Fort Fairfield, Washburn and Limestone helped Caribou firefighters pump 84,000 gallons of water into the building. Fifty-two firefighters were involved in the operation, with cold temperatures making conditions difficult for the crews and their equipment.
The blaze was fully extinguished by 1:30 a.m. Friday.
Susi said that the business, which is owned by David and Patty Corriveau, was insured. An investigator from the state fire marshal’s office was on the scene Friday afternoon working to determine a cause.
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