A fire at a Beach Drive residence early yesterday was due to a legal marijuana grow operation equipment malfunction, say Nanaimo fire investigators.
Nanaimo Fire Rescue responded to the fire at 2:45 a.m. off Brechin Road and quickly contained the fire to one room. Five were forced from the home and two men were treated for smoke inhalation.
Ennis Mond, fire and loss prevention division captain, said the grow-op was licensed.
“The fire was a result of electrical issues with some of the equipment related to that grow-op,” Mond said. “The fire was confined to the room of origin.”
Karen Fry, acting Nanaimo Fire Rescue chief, said licensed and unlicensed marijuana grow operations can pose risks to occupants and first responders.
The two men were treated on scene and did not require transportation to hospital, according to a press release from Nanaimo Fire Rescue.
The residents had been sleeping, but were alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm.
Mond said the file has been closed.