The Editor,

Re: "Families flee fire with their lives," the Now, April 24.

On April 22 at 4 a.m. our home in the Green Timbers-Bear Creek Park area was destroyed by a fire that originated in a marijuana grow-up in the house next door. It was a horrifying ordeal and if not for the watchful eye and quick thinking of a neighbour there may have been a tragic loss of lives as well.

Up until now I have viewed the marijuana grow industry in the Lower Mainland as a benign presence. In fact I've taken a "soft" approach to the issue probably because I, too, enjoy a taste of the bud now and then. We had no idea the house next to us was a grow-op, but if I had known I'd probably have turned a blind eye not realizing it posed a danger to myself and my family.

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