Fire Destroys Pole Barn with Marijuana Operation in Michigan
A large pole barn containing a marijuana-growing operation was destroyed in a fire north of Devils Lake, Michigan, on Wednesday morning. The blaze also caused heat damage to a nearby house. The fire was reported at 6:09 a.m. and was brought under control by 8:46 a.m.
Seven fire departments responded to the scene, using tankers to bring water from Devils Lake to fight the fire. About 30,000 gallons of water were used to extinguish the flames. One firefighter was injured when an overhead door in the barn fell on him, but he was treated and released from the hospital.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, and the extent of the damage has not been estimated. The owner of the property has not yet been contacted to determine the nature of the marijuana-growing operation. The township where the fire occurred has not opted in to allowing marijuana businesses.
Despite the presence of marijuana smoke, firefighters were not affected due to their use of self-contained breathing equipment. The cold weather also did not pose a problem, as firefighters kept the water circulating to prevent pumps from freezing.
The nearby house suffered damage estimated to be between $15,000 and $20,000, mostly due to melted siding and a broken window. The fire is currently under investigation, and more information will be released as it becomes available.
