The Calgary police arson unit is investigating whether a former grow-op contributed to the massive Citadel fire with damages now pegged at more than $3 million.
Arson Det. Scott Sampson said the house on Citadel Forest Place NW was a marijuana grow-operation five years ago, but received remediation and was approved by the city in 2007.
“It’s something we’re looking into, but it’s going to take a couple of days before we can do the investigation,” he said as police set up a heated tent to help battle the cold weather that has plagued the investigation.
Tess Gordey and her husband, Ed Everest, were one of the five families who lost their homes in the fire and she said she wouldn’t speculate on the cause of the fire just yet.
“A girlfriend of mine called me today and said they heard there was a grow-op, or something and the house certainly has the history of a grow-op,” she said.
“I’m interested to see how it is going to turn out.”
City chief building Insp. Kevin Griffiths said while they can’t speculate on the cause of the fire until the investigation is over, all former grow-operations need to pass remediation inspections before they are livable again.
“In general, Alberta Health Services issues an order of the house not being habitable until all remediation requirements are met,” he added.
