DETROIT (WWJ) - A marijuana grow operation is believed to have caused a destructive fire at a Midtown Detroit apartment complex.
Fire Chief Melvin Parker said there were no known injuries in the fire that broke out in a fourth floor unit of the Brainard apartments on Brainard Street, in the area of Second Ave. and Cass, at around 5 a.m. Monday.
There were flames shooting through the roof of the building, but the fire is now out.
"When the guys cleaned up, that's when they noticed, apparently, the weed or whatever upstairs," Parker told WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton.
A source tells Langton that someone — allegedly the owner of the building — was growing pot in a vacant room, using solar energy panels to power the lights.
How much weed was in there? "I'm not really sure yet. Like I said, I gotta save (the investigation) for arson," Parker said.
There is extensive damage on all four floors.
Nina, one of many residents whose units were destroyed, was surprised and upset upon hearing how officials believe it happened.
"I mean, it smells like pot all the time," she said. "I just thought it was a neighbor smoking pot. But yeah, so...great. Great day."
'"It's ruined, it's flooded, it's smoke," Nina said of her first floor unit. "There's smoke everywhere, there's water everywhere...everything's ruined."
It's unclear if any charges are possible in connection with the fire as the investigation continues.
