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Firefighters discover pot grow operation in burning home

CAMANO ISLAND, Wash. — Island County Sheriff's Office investigators have been called in to investigate a fire at a home that was used for a marijuana grow operation on Camano Island.

Fire crews received a call just before 1 a.m. Thursday about a house fire located about 20 yards from Fire Station 4 at Northwest Camano Drive and West Valley Street.

When firefighters arrived, flames were already shooting through the roof and power lines had fallen nearby, creating a hazard for responding crews.

A huge section of the home's roof collapsed and several rooms were gutted.
Firefighters said they found a large grow operation in the house and another group of plants  in a building behind it.
"(The cause of the fire)  appears to be electrical in nature, which may or may not be related to the grow operation," said Camano Island Fire Chief Mike Ganz.

The fire department said no one was home at the time of the fire but it appears that someone lives in the home.

The Island County Sheriff's Office said they have to investigate further before they know if there will be criminal charges filed.