Fire Leads To Discovery Of Lucrative Pot Growing Operation In West Philadelphia
By Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- When firefighters were called to a home in West Philadelphia Wednesday afternoon, they found more than just a fire.
When the firefighters got into the home near 40th and Poplar Streets, police say they found about 100 marijuana plants, which investigators say could be worth up to $10,000 apiece.
In all, the set-up in the home, they say, could be worth $1-million dollars. It included a ventilation system so neighbors couldn't smell the plants, and even next-door neighbors say they had no idea.
"It concerns me because I have six-girls here and my son, so to think something like that was going on right next door, that's really scary," neighbor Lydia Lugo said.
Police say a piece of insulation caught on fire near an overloaded electrical hook-up. The fire was quickly put out without any injuries.
Police say as firefighters were going into the home, a man was seen running out. Now the hunt is on for that man.
