A malfunctioning heater has been blamed for an explosion at a Hudson greenhouse Monday night.

Just before 9:30 p.m., the Hudson Fire Department received a report of an explosion at Ellis’ Greenhouse and Nursery on Route 43.

Hudson Fire Chief Larry Lilley said the gas heating unit evidently released too much propane, and then ignited.

Owner Kirby Ellis said he went to the greenhouse to do some work and found it full of airborne soot.

The blast blew a 2-foot-wide hole in a flower rack and melted foam insulation. Plastic pots melted and tropical plants wilted in the heat. Other pots fell over.

“It’s a wonder it didn’t burn the whole house down,” Ellis said. Ellis’ home is attached to the greenhouse.

Ellis said he doesn’t have crop insurance because it is too expensive.

His business is scheduled to open next week.

Brewer police arrested a Bangor man Sunday after pulling him over for a traffic offense.

Cpl. Jason Moffitt said he saw a green Honda on North Main Street at about 10:45 p.m. He said he pulled the car over because it had no front plate.

Moffitt said the back plate on the car belonged to another vehicle.

Moffitt said the driver, 31-year-old Adrian Candelaria, gave him a suspended driver’s license. Moffitt arrested Candelaria.

A search of the car produced two pipes and a small bag of marijuana, Moffitt said.

Candelaria was charged with operating after suspension, improper plates, possession of a usable amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

– Compiled by NEWS reporter Isaac Kimball