Pubdate: Mon, 20 Jun 2005
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Darah Hansen, staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

FIRE GUTS RICHMOND WAREHOUSE; OFFICIALS SEARCHING FOR MAN

Marijuana-Growing Operation May Have Caused Blaze: Police

RICHMOND - A backhoe will be used to search the charred remains of a
warehouse for a man who may have been trapped inside when the
structure -- which housed a huge marijuana-growing operation -- went
up in flames Sunday.

"Two witnesses stated they saw a man upstairs," Richmond RCMP Staff
Sgt. Al Ramey said. "They attempted to rescue the man, but were
repelled by smoke."

Ramey said police are hoping the man was able to escape the fire on
his own, but confirmed they are investigating a possible fatality.

Ramey said the marijuana crop discovered growing in a large portion of
the warehouse could be the source of the blaze.

"All I know is marijuana grows are often haphazardly wired," Ramey
said. "This place has been standing for years and all of a sudden a
grow-op pops up and up it goes."

Richmond Fire-Rescue was called to 11091 Bridgeport Rd. at 8:40 a.m.,
but couldn't enter the warehouse because of the heat of the blaze,
which had already engulfed the structure. With no wind, heavy black
smoke from the fire could be seen around the Lower Mainland.

By late afternoon, firefighters were still dousing the site with water
before it was safe for investigators to begin the search for both the
missing man and the cause of the fire.

Ramey said an employee of the long-time tenant of the warehouse was
"slackjawed" when he was told of the illegal crop being grown inside
the structure.

Ramey said the warehouse has been primarily used as a commercial
storage facility, with the tenant sub-leasing space to a variety of
clients.

The warehouse and property itself is owned by Broadway Properties Ltd.
of Vancouver, according to a B.C. Assessment Authority search.

Ramey said police are hoping to talk to the warehouse tenant when he
returns from the Philippines in an effort to determine who may have
been involved in the marijuana-growing operation.

RCMP say its growing-operation team has raided a business nearby, but
was unfamiliar with this particular site.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin