MARIJUANA OPERATIONS GO UP IN SMOKE

Electrical Fires Expose Homegrown Business In Two Locations

Two marijuana hydroponic growing operations went up in smoke yesterday
when electrical fires literally brought the heat down on the operators.

"It's becoming more common than you'd think," said Ottawa fire Capt.
Brian Truelove. "There's a lot of electrical equipment involved in
these things."

The first fire happened at a two-unit building at 118 Doane St. in
Britannia. The fire was sparked by overheating wires in the roof at
about 6:30 a.m. Smoke was spotted coming from the house by neighbours,
who called the fire department.

Crews were able to contain the fire to the roof, limiting the damage
to $70,000. But the firefighters had to enter the house to make sure
nobody was in danger and to fight the blaze.

After they got a look at what was inside, police were called and an
investigation started.

Ottawa police Staff Sgt. Monique Ackland said this operation contained
a "large number of plants," as did another operation that caught fire
later.

At 2:10 p.m., neighbours who saw smoke coming from a bungalow at 27
Bramble Wood Cres. in Kanata called the fire department.

This fire was a more serious problem for the firefighters.

When they arrived, the basement growing operation was fully ablaze and
electrical sparks could be seen shooting about. Firefighters were
forced to leave the building until a hydro crew arrived to shut off
the power.

"Usually we just bring a hose in and put out the fire, but because of
all the extra electrical stuff these types of fires are dangerous,"
Capt. Truelove said. "You don't mix water and electricity."

So firefighters cut holes in the ground floor of the house and sprayed
water down on the burning grow operation. After the electricity was
shut off, they quickly put out the fire -- but not before it caused
$100,000 damage to the building.

No arrests were made in either incident; the investigations are
continuing.