Mays Greenhouse owner Ed Swango has died due to an accidental house fire Monday morning. He was 60 years old.
According to a news release, firefighters from the Monroe Fire Protection District arrived at the house fire on South Fairfax Road a little after 1 a.m. Monday.
Monroe County Sheriff Deputies notified the firefighters there was a high possibility of an older person living in the home.
Firefighters were able to enter through the back of the house. They found a man, later identified as Swango, unresponsive in the kitchen. Crews estimated it took less than 10 minutes to find him and get transportation to the IU Health emergency room, where he was unable to recover from his injuries.
The district’s investigators and the Indiana State Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was caused by discarded smoking material.
Swango began working at the Greenhouse in 1981 and became a partial owner in the 2000s.
Nate Pennington, a longtime friend and co-owner of the Greenhouse, began working with Swango in the ‘90s.
“We have a reputation for having, you know, high quality,” Pennington said. “And I think...we owe that to him more than anybody.”
“He was planning on retiring,” he said. “I don't know if he ever actually would have. You know? Couldn’t keep him away.”
Mays Greenhouse said the family is holding a private service this week.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The language in the headline has been updated to reflect the situation more accurately.
