FruityBud
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A pair of house fires sparked up at what turned out to be marijuana grow-operations Saturday.
In the first incident, about 4:30 p.m., firefighters were called to a duplex on William Avenue after a report of a possible explosion.
Heavy smoke billowed from the residence in the 1300-block of William Avenue as first responders found an injured 29-year-old man in a garage on the property. The injured man was taken to the Health Sciences Centre in unstable condition with first- and second-degree burns.
The Winnipeg Police Service drug unit was called into assist at the scene and about 710 marijuana plants worth about $800,000 were seized along with $20,000 worth of grow-operation equipment.
No one had been arrested Sunday, but police spokeswoman Const. Natalie Aitken said cops anticipate criminal charges will be laid. The two incidents bring to six the number of grow-ops busted already in 2011.
This is a problem all across Canada, Aitken said. Its a very lucrative business.
Firefighters said they started battling the William blaze in the kitchen before it spread to the basement and attic.
The fire caused $120,000 in damage to the duplex and $30,000 to contents. The other half of the house sustained damage to the vinyl siding and soffit.
Neighbours said they also saw a dog bolt from the home and firefighters confirmed they rescued two canines from the blaze.
In the second incident, just before 7 p.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a house fire in the 700-block of Clifton Street. The fire appeared to start in a back bedroom and caused damage throughout the house. The Winnipeg Fire Department pegged damage at $150,000 to the structure and $50,000 to contents.
A 50-year-old male was taken to hospital in stable condition.
Again, police were called in after firefighters discovered a grow-op. Police seized what they called a large quantity of marijuana plants and about $1,500 in equipment from the West End home.
With two men sent to hospital in the blazes, one with serious injuries, Aitken said the incidents show the hazard of grow-ops. They are inherently dangerous, Aitken said. The fact that these indoor grow-operations require an excess of Hydro electricity and water without doubt the two individuals were looking at with these situations are very lucky.
Both fires are still under investigation and police could not say whether the grow-op equipment was the cause of either blaze.
I believe these two incidents had, if not a direct cause, some linkage to these illegal marijuana grow-operations that were occurring, she said. Certainly its a danger not only to first responders but people within the neighbourhood.
hxxp://tinyurl.com/6au4m9v
In the first incident, about 4:30 p.m., firefighters were called to a duplex on William Avenue after a report of a possible explosion.
Heavy smoke billowed from the residence in the 1300-block of William Avenue as first responders found an injured 29-year-old man in a garage on the property. The injured man was taken to the Health Sciences Centre in unstable condition with first- and second-degree burns.
The Winnipeg Police Service drug unit was called into assist at the scene and about 710 marijuana plants worth about $800,000 were seized along with $20,000 worth of grow-operation equipment.
No one had been arrested Sunday, but police spokeswoman Const. Natalie Aitken said cops anticipate criminal charges will be laid. The two incidents bring to six the number of grow-ops busted already in 2011.
This is a problem all across Canada, Aitken said. Its a very lucrative business.
Firefighters said they started battling the William blaze in the kitchen before it spread to the basement and attic.
The fire caused $120,000 in damage to the duplex and $30,000 to contents. The other half of the house sustained damage to the vinyl siding and soffit.
Neighbours said they also saw a dog bolt from the home and firefighters confirmed they rescued two canines from the blaze.
In the second incident, just before 7 p.m. Saturday, fire crews responded to a house fire in the 700-block of Clifton Street. The fire appeared to start in a back bedroom and caused damage throughout the house. The Winnipeg Fire Department pegged damage at $150,000 to the structure and $50,000 to contents.
A 50-year-old male was taken to hospital in stable condition.
Again, police were called in after firefighters discovered a grow-op. Police seized what they called a large quantity of marijuana plants and about $1,500 in equipment from the West End home.
With two men sent to hospital in the blazes, one with serious injuries, Aitken said the incidents show the hazard of grow-ops. They are inherently dangerous, Aitken said. The fact that these indoor grow-operations require an excess of Hydro electricity and water without doubt the two individuals were looking at with these situations are very lucky.
Both fires are still under investigation and police could not say whether the grow-op equipment was the cause of either blaze.
I believe these two incidents had, if not a direct cause, some linkage to these illegal marijuana grow-operations that were occurring, she said. Certainly its a danger not only to first responders but people within the neighbourhood.
hxxp://tinyurl.com/6au4m9v
