An investigation into the home destroyed by a fire, containing a marijuana grow-up, on the 3000-block of Otter Point Road on Feb. 28 has resulted in the arrest of a Sooke resident.
“There was remnants of a marijuana grow-op, but it could be a medical marijuana grow-op, we’re still looking into that,” said Steve Wright, RCMP staff sergeant.
Police then made standard inquiries to nearby residences, resulting in the arrest of a Sooke resident, after a smell of marijuana was found emanating from the home.
A search warrant executed and police found large quantities of cash and marijuana in the residence.
“We’re not saying the two houses are related or that the fire is related,” Wright said.
No one was in the house at the time of the fire and police have not located residents of the fire-ravaged home.
The Otter Point Volunteer Fire Department attended the fire when it broke out in the early morning.
“The fire started in the upper level and completely destroyed the upper level and extended a little bit down into the lower level,” said John McCrea, Captain of the Otter Point VFD.
“We went defensive on it,” said McCrea. “We played it safe and cleaned it up.”
The Otter Point FD was assisted by the Sooke Fire Department with a water tender and the Rapid Intervention Team.
McCrea said the cause of fire could not be determined due to the amount of destruction.
The house, assessed at $535,000, was destroyed
An investigation into the fire is still being conducted by the police and fire department.