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Richmond Warehouse Fire Reveals Large Marijuana Grow

RICHMOND (CBS SF) - An electrical fire at a Richmond warehouse Wednesday morning led to the discovery of a large marijuana growing operation inside the building, according to authorities.

Richmond firefighters responded to the fire on the 600 block of Ohio St. at about 3:35 a.m. Wednesday, said Richmond Police Lt. Bisa French.

When crews arrived, they found an elaborate pot-growing operation with the entire second floor of the two-story building filled possibly more than 1,000 plants, said French. "They are in numerous stages of growth," she said. "It looks like a very intricate operation in which they've been growing marijuana here for quite some time."

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

PG&E crews were able to quickly cut power to the property.

One person, believed to have been guarding the grow, was at the warehouse when authorities arrived but was not arrested, French said.

Investigators are working to identify those responsible for the grow operation and have served a search warrant at the warehouse, French said.

French said investigators have not found any paperwork indicating that the grow is legal.

The electrical fire was extinguished quickly, and caused some smoke damage to the warehouse, French said.

 

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

<strong>KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:</strong>

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