South Sound News

Auburn house fire reveals possible illegal marijuana grow operation

AUBURN, Wash. — Auburn Police say fire crews and officers discovered between 50 and 100 marijuana plants inside a home when responding to a call for a house fire on Sunday afternoon.

Neighbors say they noticed the smell of pot in the air mixed with the smoke.

Auburn detectives are working to get a warrant to search the house at 2nd St NE and D St NE, which is right next to Auburn High School.

Fire crews say when they first got on scene, flames were shooting out of the attic window in the front and back of the home.

The man who lives there was home and tried to put the fire out out himself, but ended up running outside and calling 911.

Neighbors say thick black smoke filled the neighborhood..

"What was frightening is, we're right next door so I was very afraid it might head over this way," said 
Sok Mings, who lives next door.

The person who lives at the home told KIRO7 he’s renting the house. He says he smokes marijuana daily, but denied having illegal plants in the home.

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But Auburn Police say there is was a small pot operation growing at the home, and detectives are investigating.

Home grown marijuana for recreational use is still illegal in Washington State.

Registered medical patients can grow up to 15 plants with recommendation from a doctor. Unregistered medical patients can grow four plants.

Fire investigators are looking into if the grow operation had anything to do with the cause of the fire.

KIRO 7 will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.