Two of seven barns in a rural District of Kent marijuana growth complex went up in flames early Tuesday morning.
The Agassiz, Popkum and North Fraser fire departments responded to multiple reports of the structure fire at approximately 4 a.m. that morning. Two barns were completely engulfed in flames while two more were at least partially damaged. According to a statement from Agassiz Fire Department (AFD) Fire Chief Gerald Basten, the property grew marijuana plants for medicinal purposes and was formerly a dairy farm. There were no injuries to the public or to any firefighters.
The blaze was brought under control within an hour and caused approximately $500,000 in damage to the structure alone. As of publication, there is no estimate for the damages of the barns’ contents.
A total of 28 firefighters were on the scene.
Basten said a Health Canada license allowed for a certain number of marijuana plants to be grown on the property, but according to Basten, that number was exceeded.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, and the RCMP is investigating with respect to the total number of marijuana plants.
adam.louis@ahobserver.com
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