GROW HOUSE GOES UP IN FLAMES

22-Year-Old Arrested At The Scene

YORK REGIONAL Police say a fire in Markham illustrates the dangers of a
growing pot problem in residential neighbourhoods across the city. A blaze
erupted just before 5 p.m. Thursday, northeast of Kennedy Rd. and Steeles
Ave. E., engulfing a home on Wickham Crt. Once the fire was under control,
police discovered what they allege was a marijuana grow lab inside the house.

The fire gutted the $345,000 house and neighbouring homes sustained
flooding and water damage, Det.-Sgt. Karen Noakes, of York region's drug
and vice enforcement bureau, said yesterday.

A 22-year-old resident of the home was arrested at the scene. Wei Can Xie
is charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purposes of
trafficking, and producing a controlled substance.

30 TO 40 PLANTS

Police initially claimed there were 30 to 40 marijuana plants inside the
two-storey home but later recanted the estimate explaining there was no way
to know how many were burned up in the fire. Noakes said thousands of
similar operations have sprung up in the GTA in the last few years and
police need help to shut them down.

"We want the community to be our partners. You have to be our eyes and
ears," Noakes said.

Clues your neighbour may be growing drugs, include little or no human
activity, neglected lawns and gardens, covered windows, condensation on
windows, people coming and going at odd hours, cars pulling directly into
garages, and lights on 24 hours a day.

Noakes said a study by a B.C. insurance company found the chances of a fire
breaking out are 40 times higher than normal in a marijuana grow house.