Watch CBS News

2 Arrested After Marijuana Grow Operation Sparks Massive Fire

ADELANTO (CBSLA) - San Bernardino County Fire crews were able to knock down a major two-alarm commercial fire in Adelanto Wednesday evening.

Authorities said the fire crews responded to the large commercial blaze in the 18000 block of Baldwin Street at around 4:35 p.m. Wednesday and went into defensive mode to protect other nearby homes and a strip mall center.

Officials said they think the fire started at a nursery on Baldwin Street. There were reportedly several explosions, possibly from propane tanks used at the business where the fire raged.

About 50 firefighters were called out to manage the blaze. No injuries were reported, and fire damage did not extend to any homes or the neighboring strip mall.

Two people were arrested and accused of sparking the fire. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, Peng Wei and Jing Wei Ping are accused of running an illegal cannabis grow operation which sparked the massive fire. After the fire was knocked down, investigators found evidence of a butane extraction lab, a marijuana extraction system, cash, two unserialized firearms and a large quantity of processed and concentrated marijuana.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.