Apartment Complex Goes Up in Smoke Along With The Marijuana

A fire Saturday night on Browne avenue, caused by a marijuana growing operation forced several people from their apartment. Firefighters were called because of a basement fire. By the time firefighters arrived, everyone was outside and no injuries were reported. Battalion Chief Mitch Cole says crews couldn't reach the basement because of excessive heat from the fire. But they did finally put out the flames and found the growing operation an estimated 25-35 plants were in a 10’x10’ room in the basement. Cole says he expects to see more building fires from marijuana growing operations because of the recent passage of initiative 502 that legalizes up to an ounce of marijuana for those over 21 years old. Damage to two apartments is estimated at 60 thousand dollars.