A house fire that led to the discovery of an illegal marijuana cultivation operation was likely sparked by malfunctioning equipment, the Cumberland police chief said Wednesday.
“The fire is believed to have been primarily caused by a component of the grow operation malfunctioning and could’ve been much worse as there was a gas line located right near the initial point of ignition,” he said. “We are grateful that the resulting damage wasn’t worse for the homeowner, or neighborhood as a whole, but the law is pretty specific at what’s allowed and what’s not and, in this case, the amount was much more than what’s allowed.”
In Rhode Island residents over the age of 21 can have up to six marijuana plants with no more than three mature plants for personal use.
Police say they found 40 mature plants in the home following the fire.
Homeowner Mark Garvey is facing a felony possession charge.
He declined to comment NBC 10 citing the ongoing case.
