NEW FIRE MARSHAL TOUGH ON GROW-OPS

TORONTO --

As fire chief in Niagara Falls, Ontario's new Fire Marshal gained a
reputation for helping police tear down marijuana grow operations
through his tough stand on safety.

Patrick Burke's "zero tolerance" approach to fire prevention is
expected to have a similar impact on grow-ops and drug labs across
Ontario when he steps into the provincial role today.

"It wouldn't matter to me if they were growing marijuana or tomatoes,"
he said. "If they bypass hydro and they're not complying with all of
the requirements of the (fire) code, then we're going to act."

Grow-ops pose a serious fire risk as a result of the chemicals, heat
lamps and elaborate hydro bypass schemes involved.