A major fire that broke out on Friday night has destroyed Strikes Stokesley Garden Centre.  

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service reported that on Friday 6th April at 21:18; " Strikes Garden Centre, Stokesley. Incident ongoing at a large garden centre. Whole building involved in fire with large amount of fire damage. Three pumps are still in attendance. Fire fighting still in operation with more details to follow."

BBC News and local newspapers have since reported that at least 40 firefighters battled the blaze at its peak, with three crews still on scene on Saturday morning.  North Yorkshire Fire Service said there had been "major damage" to the centre and the roof had collapsed.

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/strikes-fire-what-know-far-14502731

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-43680659

A post on Strikes Facebook page stated that the fire had destroyed most of the building.  "Sadly we need to share the news that our garden centre is closed until further notice due to a fire that has destroyed most of the centre. We will keep you updated through this page and our website. Our centre at Northallerton will be able to assist with any gardening needs in the meantime."

Klondyke Strikes CEO, David Yardley, told GTN Xtra this morning: "We are heartbroken and can't believe this has happened to us again, seven years after the fire at Wilmslow.

"We are devastated by this event and especially as the centre was looking so good and ready for the season albeit a late one. It is so sad for all the staff who have put so much effort in to get the centre ready this year and we really feel for them , many of whom have been there for so long and treat it like a second home.

"The most important thing is there were no injuries and it was only property that was damaged, our thanks go to the fire service and their efforts to contain the fire and minimize the loss.

"We don't know the cause of the fire yet and are working with our insurance brokers and loss assessors/adjusters to get the centre trading again as soon as possible.

After the fire at Wilmslow it took until October 2012 to rebuild and fully open the garden centre.  David said that given their experience of that fire they hope to get some temporary trading up and running very soon at Stokesley and he added "I advise all garden centre owners to review their cover to ensure business interruption is fully covered.  You hope the worst never happens but it is really important to make sure you have the right levels of cover so that business recovery can happen without it effecting the rest of the business."