CUSTER, Wash. (AP) -- An owner of a northwest Washington dahlia nursery has been killed by a fire that also forced the flower business to temporarily shut down.

The Bellingham Herald (http://is.gd/UsFlIm ) says Walt Wynne of Wynne's Dahlias died Saturday night in a fire at the family home. Whatcom County Medical Examiner Gary Goldfogel says the man died of smoke inhalation.

Wynne ran the business with his wife, Cory.

The newspaper says Wynne's website, wynnesdahlias.com, was updated to note that in addition to the death, the business lost all its dahlia tubers and customer information.

The family plans to refund money from all pending orders, but says that will take time.

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Information from: The Bellingham Herald, http://www.bellinghamherald.com

Copyright 2013 The AP.