Wednesday, July 25 - Tuesday evening fire snarls traffic on Route 589

BERLIN- A Tuesday evening fire at a plant nursery along Route 589 across from Ocean Downs snarled rush hour traffic as five area fire companies battled the blaze.

The fire started around 5 p.m. at the Planted Pleasures nursery on Racetrack Road just south of Ocean Pines. The fire, which destroyed a showroom at the nursery, was brought under control by around 6 p.m., although fire crews remained on the scene to ensure the blaze did not spread to the dry, wooded areas nearby.

Maryland State Police rerouted traffic from Route 589 to Route 90. Firefighters pumped water from the nearby Turville Creek to fight the fire through a 1,400-foot long hose. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital for heat exhaustion. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Worcester County Fire Marshal's Office. Pick up Friday's print edition of The Dispatch for the complete story and pictures.