House fire reveals huge marijuana operation

A fire investigation at a Richmond-area home Saturday turned into much more when firemen discovered an elaborate marijuana growing system inside the house.

Fort Bend County sheriff's deputies and firefighters from the Community Fire Department responded to a report of a fire at a residence in the 7000 block of Sundance Meadows Lane in the Lakemont subdivision. When firemen arrived, they saw an orange glow and smoke coming from the backyard, where they found an illegal electrical connection had been made between the residence and the main utility line. The county fire marshal's office, the power company and gas company were also notified to proceed with the investigation of the fire and prevent any further fires or possible explosions. No one was at home during the investigation, said Terriann Carlson, sheriff's spokeswoman.

The fire marshal noticed the wire fed into the house, where two dogs could be seen inside. Investigators entered the residence through an unlocked rear door to check for possible casualties, but instead they found numerous marijuana plants growing in the residence

Agents of the Fort Bend County Narcotics Task Force obtained a search warrant, and a short time later officers uncovered an elaborate hydroponics marijuana growing system, complete with growing lights, water pump and other items used to cultivate the plants.

No arrests had been made as of Tuesday morning, Carlson said.