House fire triggers drug investigation
An investigation is underway in Indio Hills after a fire tore through a home Tuesday morning. An unknown chemical substance caught the eye of authorities, but it was not the only thing that triggered a second look.
Authorities said a marijuana grow operation was believed to be going on inside.
“As I arrived first on scene, I observed smoke and flames coming from the roof with two people using garden hoses trying to fight the fire,” Riverside County Fire Department/CALFIRE Battalion Chief Todd Hopkins told KESQ News Channel 3’s and CBS Local 2’s Katie Widner.
The fire ignited around 9:13 a.m. It took crews more than an hour and a half to get it under control. Hopkins said the home sustained 50 percent fire damage and 100 smoke damage. No injuries were reported. Once the fire was contained, crews found an unknown chemical substance inside. That prompted a hazardous materials team to be called to the scene.
“Our HAZMAT Team arrived with an unknown substance of materials inside the residence. The only determination was that it’s safe for the firefighters to be working in the area,” Hopkins added.
Crews, however, did find something else.
“CALFIRE was there regarding a structure fire and they believed that they had located a possible marijuana grow at the location,” said Riverside County Sheriff’s Deputy Armando Munoz.
An active investigation is underway into the possible grow operation and cause of the fire. The Imperial Irrigation District was on scene as well, they said they are also investigating some “irregularities.” Drug investigators at the scene said that electricity is often rerouted at grow houses to provide more heat and lighting to the plants. Sometimes this can cause a fire.
As of late Tuesday afternoon, no arrests had been made. Anything over the growth of six marijuana plants without a license in the state of California is a misdemeanor, and the theft of a utility can result in a felony charge.
The homeowner arrived at the scene after the KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 crew. He did not want to go on camera, but said he was very upset and that the house had been leased to a tenant.
Photos: Smoke damages 100% of home
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