Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Authorities say an arsonist broke into a building that had been used to grow medical marijuana about midnight Thursday and set fire to the place.
Michigan State Police Fire Investigator Sgt. Ken Hersha said set fires in multiple locations inside the warehouse at 231 W. South St.
Trooper John Richards said the fire was intentionally set, and police plan to canvass the neighborhood for information.
Richards said police do not have any suspects yet, but a poster stating a reward of up to $5,000 was on the charred building's front door.
Summit Township Fire Department Capt. Doug Evert said a wide-open door firefighters found upon arrival was the first indication the fire was suspicious.
The tenant apparently started the medical marijuana growing operation sometime in late fall, though he was unknowingly in violation of the township's six-month moratorium on such places, said John Worden, Summit Township's zoning administrator.
Township leaders discovered the violation earlier this year, but they agreed to let him stay through April 1, when his lease with owner Rickie Akine was set to expire.
The tenant had been in the process of moving out and most of the equipment had already been removed, Worden said.
Evert said the building's interior was damaged by smoke, fire and water, but the structure was intact and could likely be salvaged.
Firefighters from the Jackson Fire Department and officers from the Blackman-Leoni Township were on the scene as well, until about 2:30 a.m., when the building was cleared.
There were no injuries reported.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Danielle Salisbury
Copyright: 2011 Michigan Live LLC.
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Website: Authorities say fire at medical marijuana growing facility was arson | MLive.com
Michigan State Police Fire Investigator Sgt. Ken Hersha said set fires in multiple locations inside the warehouse at 231 W. South St.
Trooper John Richards said the fire was intentionally set, and police plan to canvass the neighborhood for information.
Richards said police do not have any suspects yet, but a poster stating a reward of up to $5,000 was on the charred building's front door.
Summit Township Fire Department Capt. Doug Evert said a wide-open door firefighters found upon arrival was the first indication the fire was suspicious.
The tenant apparently started the medical marijuana growing operation sometime in late fall, though he was unknowingly in violation of the township's six-month moratorium on such places, said John Worden, Summit Township's zoning administrator.
Township leaders discovered the violation earlier this year, but they agreed to let him stay through April 1, when his lease with owner Rickie Akine was set to expire.
The tenant had been in the process of moving out and most of the equipment had already been removed, Worden said.
Evert said the building's interior was damaged by smoke, fire and water, but the structure was intact and could likely be salvaged.
Firefighters from the Jackson Fire Department and officers from the Blackman-Leoni Township were on the scene as well, until about 2:30 a.m., when the building was cleared.
There were no injuries reported.
NewsHawk: Jim Behr: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: mlive.com
Author: Danielle Salisbury
Copyright: 2011 Michigan Live LLC.
Contact: Contact Us - MLive.com
Website: Authorities say fire at medical marijuana growing facility was arson | MLive.com
