AUTHORITIES SAY FIRE AT MEDICAL MARIJUANA GROWING FACILITY WAS ARSON

Authorities say an arsonist broke into a building that had been used
to grow medical marijuana about midnight Thursday and set fire to the
place.

Michigan State Police Fire Investigator Sgt. Ken Hersha said set fires
in multiple locations inside the warehouse at 231 W. South St.

Trooper John Richards said the fire was intentionally set, and police
plan to canvass the neighborhood for information.

Richards said police do not have any suspects yet, but a poster
stating a reward of up to $5,000 was on the charred building's front
door.

Summit Township Fire Department Capt. Doug Evert said a wide-open door
firefighters found upon arrival was the first indication the fire was
suspicious.

The tenant apparently started the medical marijuana growing operation
sometime in late fall, though he was unknowingly in violation of the
township's six-month moratorium on such places, said John Worden,
Summit Township's zoning administrator.

Township leaders discovered the violation earlier this year, but they
agreed to let him stay through April 1, when his lease with owner
Rickie Akine was set to expire.

The tenant had been in the process of moving out and most of the
equipment had already been removed, Worden said.

Evert said the building's interior was damaged by smoke, fire and
water, but the structure was intact and could likely be salvaged.

Firefighters from the Jackson Fire Department and officers from the
Blackman-Leoni Township were on the scene as well, until about 2:30
a.m., when the building was cleared.

There were no injuries reported.