Maple Grove investigators are saying that the massive commercial greenhouse fire that lit up the nighttime sky over the weekend was an act of arson.
A passerby spotted the blaze at the Lynde Greenhouse & Nursery about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, and crews rushed to the scene in the 9200 block of Pineview Lane to find a heavy fire involving landscaping and gardening supplies.
It took firefighters from Maple Grove and five neighboring communities several hours to extinguish the blaze, and they remained at the scene until midafternoon Sunday putting out hot spots. No injuries were reported.
The fire is "being investigated as possible arson," read a statement Tuesday night from police.
Investigators have identified five juveniles as "persons of interest," the statement continued, a classification routinely used by law enforcement when referencing potential suspects in a crime.
As of Wednesday morning, no arrests have been announced.
Lynde has since reopened and "are taking it week by week," the business announced on Facebook. Hours for now are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Electricity has yet to be restored, the notice posted Tuesday morning continued, cautioning customers that Lynde is only accepting cash for purchases.
