Illegal Massachusetts cannabis growing operation leads to fire that displaces 8 people

WEBSTER—A fire that displaced eight people started in an illegal cannabis grow room, said Webster Fire Chief Brian Hickey, Webster Police Chief Michael Shaw, and State Fire Marshal Jon Davine.

The Webster Fire Department responded to 57 N. Main St. at 10:05 this morning for a report of a fire in a two-story duplex home. Firefighters observed smoke and flames on arrival and made entry, containing the fire to the second floor. The fire was knocked down in about 10 minutes.

One resident was transported to an area hospital for observation. That resident and seven others from two families were displaced from their home.

Firefighters observed hundreds of cannabis plants, as well as pesticides, fertilizers, and other illicit drugs on the scene. In an abundance of caution, they requested members of the State Police Bomb Squad and Department of Fire Services’ Joint Hazard Incident Response Team to assess and help mitigate the hazards. The JHIRT is composed of Hazmat technicians with specialized knowledge in reactive and energetic materials.

The investigation by Webster Fire personnel, Webster Police, and State Police fire investigators assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s office determined that the fire started in a second-floor grow room with abundant cannabis plants. They determined that the most likely cause was an overloaded power strip that powered lights, fans, and other electrical devices.