SAN DIEGO—
A home in the College Area went up in smoke Tuesday, and when fire fighters put out the flames they discovered what appeared to be a marijuana growing operation.Jonathon Slade, who lives four houses away, first learned of the fire when someone pounded on his front door.
"The neighbor came to my door fairly hysterical," he said. "She was yelling about smoke down the street."
Slade followed her to the home and found the man who lives there running in and out of the burning house.
"He did say twice, don't call 9-1-1," said Slade.
The statement would make much more sense after fire fighters put out the flames.
Investigators found three rooms in the home with more than 300 marijuana plants growing at different stages ranging from seedlings to full grown plants. They also learned the man who rented the home was bypassing the electric meter and stealing the electricity used to operate the large heat lamps.
The man who lives there was wheeled away and treated for smoke inhalation. His puppy was rescued from the back yard.
