A fire in an Ocala house resulted in the discovery of a grow room that contained more than 40 marijuana plants.
At about 4:45 a.m. agents from the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team were called to the fire at 2004 SW 38th Court believing it contained a methamphetamine lab.
When they arrived, the agents found that almost half of the house was sectioned off to grow marijuana, a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program release stated.
After finding 31 charred marijuana plants and other growing equipment in the debris, agents believe the fire was started in the grow room.
According to the release, footprints were found near the back of the grow room and led to the backyard where 13 intact marijuana plants were found.
The renter, Julian Vinas, said he didn't know about the grow room and that a man named Miguel was responsible for the marijuana plants and the fire.
Vinas, 48, said Miguel paid him $350 a month to live in the house with Vinas' wife, their three kids and the family dog, the release stated.
Although the family was sleeping when the fire started at 1 a.m., they made it out of the house safely.
Vinas was arrested and charged with arson, cultivation of marijuana, possession of a firearm while committing a felony and child endangerment.
