FIRE CHIEF CALLS FOR DISCLOSURE ABOUT LEGAL GROW-OPS

Health Canada needs to do more to decrease the public safety risk
from legal grow-ops, says Ladysmith's fire chief.

Ray Delcourt echoed a call from Canadian fire officials who want the
federal department to help improve regulation of licensed homes where
pot is grown for medical use.

Critics argue that inspectors should have access to the addresses of
such homes, which Health Canada keeps secret for reasons of safety and privacy.

In Ladysmith last month, a blaze destroyed part of a two-storey home
on a hillside street near the golf course.

Delcourt suspects the fire was caused by licensed marijuana grow-op
equipment housed in the part of the building that burned down.

There were no injuries or other damage in the Dec. 10 incident.

"If the government is going to give these guys licenses to do that it
would be nice to know where they're at," Delcourt said.

"The government knows about them. Why can't we know about them?"

Health Canada provides licenses to both users and designated growers
who want to produce marijuana that will be taken to relieve the
symptoms of illness.

Approval is also required from a medical practitioner.

Delcourt said both legal and illegal grow-ops pose a public safety
risk because of the electrical components and chemicals used.

He added that cluttered equipment and low-hanging lamps can be
dangerous for firefighters who enter those rooms.