'Possible Arson': Maple Grove Police Investigate Greenhouse Fire

MAPLE GROVE, MN — Maple Grove police are investigating the fire at a local greenhouse as possible arson, the department announced Tuesday. Investigators say they have identified five juveniles as "persons of interest" in the blaze.

On Oct. 2 at 3:25 a.m., Maple Grove police and fire crews responded to a large fire at Lynde's Greenhouse and Nursery on the 9200 block of Pineview Lane.

Firefighters fought the blaze for several hours. There were no injuries, but there was significant damage to the property, police said.

Derek Lynde, the president of the greenhouse, said on Facebook that the "catastrophic fire" caused a complete loss of their warehouse, loading dock, storage area, production offices, employee break area, and plant production line.

However, Lynde said they were fortunate that the Maple Grove Fire Department saved most of the production space, the main office, and the garden center.

Lynde is the fifth generation of his family to operate the greenhouse.

"The outpouring of love and support we have received from this community in the past 30-some hours has been amazing," Lynde said. "I have every intention of leaving this business to the 8- and 10-year-old Lynde children that wept with me at the devastation we witnessed yesterday. We will rebuild."

The Maple Grove Police Department is asking that anyone with information on the fire to call Detective Angela Tschida at (763) 494-6214. People who want to remain anonymous may submit a tip to Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at (800) 222-8477.