The caretaker of a Kahaluu plant nursery escaped without injury Monday night after fire broke out in a building that served as office and living quarters.

About 35 firefighters responded to the 9:38 p.m. alarm to Nursery Associates, 47-320 Pulama Road.

Fire Capt. Terry Seelig said firefighters had to cut the lock on the gate into the property to gain access to the burning building.

Firefighters also were concerned about possible hazards from burning pesticides and fertilizers. However, the caretaker told firefighters those substances were stored in another building.

The fire was brought under control at 10:14 p.m. No one was injured.

A fire investigator was looking into the cause of the fire Tuesday, Seelig said. Damage was estimated at $250,000 to the structure and $50,000 to its contents, including a truck and a van just outside the building that burned, he said.

There appears to have been only minimal damage to the company’s potted-plant inventory or area nursery structures, Seelig said.