
A devastating fire broke out at Feehan’s Flowers over the weekend, leaving a portion of the structure unusable and causing significant damage to the facility’s heating and electrical systems. While the cause remains undetermined, the owners suspect it may have originated from a heat source. Owner Christina Feehan spoke to KILJ about the fire.
The fire destroyed approximately 30 to 40 percent of the main greenhouse. Despite the setback, the owners are determined to move forward. Fortunately, another large greenhouse nearby remained intact, thanks to the swift actions of neighbors who used hoses to contain the flames while awaiting the fire department’s arrival.
Christina says they are already trying to rebuild “We were able to move a lot of stuff into the other greenhouse, We do have a lot of dead plants and damage, but we’re already replanting. We will be open as scheduled this year by the third week in April. We may not have as much inventory as usual, but we will rebuild.”
The local community quickly stepped up to support the family, with an especially impressive effort from a group of high school students. The owner’s son, a senior at the local high school, called on his peers for assistance. “About eight to ten students showed up, and they ran as fast as they could, grabbing plants and moving them out of harm’s way,” Christina recalled. “They went back and forth, doing everything they could to save what was left.”
While the full extent of financial loss remains uncertain, the family is awaiting further information from their insurance provider before considering next steps. In the meantime, they remain grateful for the outpouring of community support.
“People showed up that we didn’t even know—kids we don’t even know—offering to help. Every time I walked in or out, there was someone standing there with their hands open, ready to carry something. It was incredible.”
For now, the family is focused on recovery and opening on time, the third week in April.
Karen Rosalee Oester Chapman, R.N. ended her trip down the slippery slope of dementia on Friday February 21 at Henry County Health Center. She was 85. Karen was born on the “real” Memorial Day (May 30) in 1939 in Elk Lick Township, Pennsylvania. The Township is in southern Somerset County and also is the home of Mount Davis, the highest point in Pennsylvania, named for her maternal Great-Grandfather, Civil War Veteran John Nelson Davis.