For the second time this week, a case of electricity theft was responsible for a fire in South Seattle, and this time two Seattle Firefighters were shocked by the illegal wiring. For the second time this week, a case of electricity theft was responsible for a fire in South Seattle, and this time two Seattle Firefighters were shocked by the illegal wiring.
The house fire occured May 17 in the 11400 block of 69th Place South. Illegal wiring had been installed to bypass the home’s electricity meter to support a marijuana growing operation in the basement. Overheated wires burned off the insulation and started a fire.
When firefighters responded, two of them were shocked by head level wires as they tried to advance on the fire with a hose. The firefighters received minor shocks and were treated by medics.
Seattle City Light crews turned off power to the home and investigated the electricity theft. Seattle Police Narcotic detectives were called to inspect and investigate the grow operation in the basement.
Detectives seized 298 plants from the home.
Earlier this week, narcotics detectives seized approximately 400 marijuana plants from the basement of a Rainier Valley restaurant after a small fire broke out behind the business. The restaurant was also illegally diverting power to the grow operation, which caused the fire.
Electricity theft is dangerous for everyone involved and it costs City Light ratepayers about $3 million a year. Seattle City Light and the Seattle Fire Department teamed up to produce a Public Service Announcement regarding the dangers of electricity theft. You can watch it here and read more about electricity theft here. If you see something suspicious call City Light at (206) 684-3000 or notify police.
Read the Fire Department’s report on the incident at http://fireline.seattle.gov/2012/05/17/two-seattle-firefighters-shocked-by-illegal-wiring-in-house-fire/ and the Police Department’s report at http://spdblotter.seattle.gov/2012/05/17/a-growing-problem-second-pot-farm-catches-fire-this-week/ .
The Seattle Police Department Posted this:
A Growing Problem: Second Pot Farm Catches Fire This Week Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee
For the second time this week, illegal power diversion has a sparked a fire at a marijuana grow operation in south Seattle.
Around 11:40 this morning, firefighters were called to a home near S. 115th Street and 69th Pl S, where they found a marijuana grow op in the basement of the home. Firefighters then called police to investigate.
Two firefighters were injured while putting out the blaze in the home after they were shocked by what SPD Narcotics Unit Lieutenant Mike Kebba describes as an “unsophisticated” wiring system, which was illegally drawing power to the grow operation.
Detectives seized 298 plants from the home.
Earlier this week, narcotics detectives seized approximately 400 marijuana plants from the basement of a Rainier Valley restaurant after a small fire broke out behind the business. The restaurant was also illegally diverting power to the grow operation, which caused the fire.