ANTIOCH (KRON) — One of the homes charred this weekend by a fire in Antioch turned out to be housing a marijuana grow operation, according to police.
Although the grow operation had nothing to do with the cause of the fire, the discovery of it led to two suspects being arrested.
On Satuday at 4:36 p.m. there was a report of a fire in the 900 block of Burwood Way in Antioch. Police officers were helping Contra Costa County Fire Protection District crews evacuate residents to protect them from the 5-alarm fire.
The fire resulted to destroying one residence and damaging three other homes.
While evacuating the homes that were threatened by the fire, officers found a marijuana grow operation that was being run by two 24-year-old man, according to police.
More than 700 pot plants were later determined to be growing in the home. The plants and more than 17 pounds of manicured marijuana buds were confiscated, police said.
The two men, identified by police as Qiao Cen and Qiaohui Cen, were arrested on suspicion of various drug offenses.
The fire was caused by a person discarding a cigarette that was still burning, according to fire officials.
The person could potentially face criminal charges after further investigation, according to fire officials.Bay City News contributed to this report.