YORK COUNTY, Pa. — An early morning house fire was reportedly caused by a marijuana-growing operation.
According to the Northern York County Regional Police Department (NYCRPD), patrol units responded to a fire along the 100 block of North Alpine Drive in York.
While battling the flames, first responders found a hydroponic marijuana-growing system in the basement of the house.
After the fire was controlled, the property was secured and NYCRPD investigators obtained and executed a search warrant.
Officers determined the cause of the fire was electrical in nature, originating in the area of the hydroponic growing system. At the scene, police reportedly recovered numerous marijuana plants, a hydroponic growing system, a handgun and additional illegal drugs and paraphernalia.
Six residents and three pets were displaced following the fire. A 27-year-old man was taken into custody and is being processed at the York County Booking Center, according to NYCRPD.
The man will be charged with endangering the welfare of children, manufacturing a controlled substance and six counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Anyone with additional information on this investigation has been asked to contact the NYCRPD tip line at 717-467-8355 or email tips@nycrpd.org.
