DELTONA, Fla. — An investigation into a Deltona house fire turned up a marijuana growing operation Wednesday, according to the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.
Officials said Deltona firefighters and state fire marshals were investigating the heavily damaged house when they discovered several marijuana plants and cultivation equipment.
Deputies arrested Francisco Quintana Jr., 40, on charges of manufacturing cannabis, possession of cannabis over 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The fire chief said the blaze started in the kitchen.
“He was cooking and left the house. When he came back the house was on fire,” said Chief Mark Rhame of the Deltona Fire Department.
Investigators said two rooms in the Kingway Drive house had been converted to grow rooms.
They said they also discovered several bottles of chemicals used for growing marijuana.
Investigators said they found more than 1,000 grams of pot, plus 27 marijuana plants growing inside several tents set up in the house.
Residents said they were shocked to find out a grow house was in their neighborhood.
“A little but angry because it’s not expected. There are a lot of kids around here,” said Loris Shuring.
According to investigators, Quintana told investigators that the marijuana was for personal use.
Firefighters responded to the house fire around 12:45 p.m. Wednesday.
Investigators said Quintana moved into the house less than a year ago.
One of his pets died in the fire.
Quintana was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail.