Fire reveals illegal pot growing operation in Hollister

The Hollister Fire and Police Departments responded to a house fire on Mulberry Court Tuesday and discovered the home had been converted into an illegal marijuana growing operation.

The Unified Narcotics Enforcement Team seized a total of 502 marijuana plants and other evidence of the operation. Police are looking for the home’s residents who fled the scene.

Investigators believe the fire was caused by illegal wiring associated with the operation. Police say electricity had been diverted to bypass the PG&E system to run large fans and extra lights.

The home’s interior walls had been changed and holes were cut into the floors to accommodate the growing operation. Fire officials also discovered stains indicating used fertilizers and chemicals had been disposed of in the municipal sewage system.

The house was declared uninhabitable due to the structural changes and damage from the fire.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the Hollister Police Department. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME. Calls to WeTip can lead to rewards of up to $1,000.