Fire gutted a portion of a flower nursery's canopy early Sunday morning, Ann Arbor fire officials said.
Firefighters were called to English Gardens in the 100 block of North Maple Road at 5:36 a.m., said Dan Krueger, acting battalion chief.
The fire was under control by 7 a.m., but at 11 a.m. firefighters still were on scene dousing "hot spots," or fire in areas that are difficult to access, Krueger said.
Fire officials are worried about the integrity of the steel beams supporting the canopy, which houses various greenery and lawn ornaments, said Fire Marshal Kathleen Chamberlain.
"I think the important thing is that it doesn't appear that anyone was hurt," Chamberlain said.
John Darin, English Gardens co-owner, said a manager had pulled into the nursery and gardening supplier's parking lot to open the store when he noticed the fire and called it in.
An English Gardens contractor was on the scene assessing the damage, Darin said. Although the fire originated under the canopy, Chamberlain said there was extending smoke and water damage into the business' main building.
The store was closed today, although Darin said he hoped to work with the fire department to find out if staff could re-open a portion of the outside business as soon as Monday.
"We're certainly hoping to do what we go to do this week to get opened for business," Darin said. "This is our busiest weekend coming up ... Mother's Day weekend is one of our busiest weekends of the year. This couldn't have happened at a worse time, business wise."
Darin said staff were redirecting customers interested in buying flowers to English Gardens Flower Market at the Briarwood Mall. Customers interested in gardening supplies and patio furniture were redirected to the company's Brighton store.
The cause of the fire is still unclear but foul play is not suspected at this time, Chamberlain said.
