A house fire in Addison Jan. 25 led to the discovery of almost two pounds of marijuana.
Firefighters were called to 2755 Curtis Road at 7:20 a.m. to extinguish a chimney fire burning in the attic and roof of a two-story farmhouse between Shoup and Army roads.
An elderly man, his grown son and a golden retriever were rescued from the home uninjured and the fire was brought under control within 60 minutes, according to Addison Fire Chief George Spencer.
A malfunctioning chimney connected to a wood burning stove is the suspected cause of the blaze, Spencer said.
As firefighters searched the house to make sure the fire was completely out, they ran across what Spencer called some ‘contraband.?
Almost two pounds of processed marijuana, some packaging materials and scales were discovered, according to Oakland County Sheriff’s Sgt. Pete Burkett, commander of the Addison substation.
Burkett said the marijuana and paraphernalia allegedly belong to the adult son, who’s living there with his elderly father, the owner of the home.
The sheriff’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) is currently working on issuing charges against the son, the sergeant said.
Burkett wished to note that the homeowner is ‘not involved in any way? and had ‘no knowledge? of his son’s alleged drug activities.
‘He was what we call an innocent owner.?
Burkett said the son could be charged with manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance, a felony that carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Where there’s smoke…
More than an acre of brush in the 9200 block of Allen Road in Independence Township went up in smoke, Friday, April 18.
The homeowner told Independence Township firefighters and Oakland County deputies he started a small fire to burn some brush and sparks went into the woods.
When the fire continued to grow and get out of control, he called 911 and tried to put it out with a bucket of water.
But the fire spread to a neighbor’s property, burning about 1-2 acres before firefighters brough it under control.
Deputies are investigating to see whether citations should be issued.
? Phil Custodio