Hundreds of marijuana plants were discovered by fire crews trying to save a number of businesses from a raging fire in the Midway area Sunday.
Buds, stems, nearly 400 plants were seized by San Diego police after firefighters found what's described as a major grow operation in the path of a commercial building fire.
A total of five lots were damaged during the fully-involved fire that began around 5 p.m. Sunday between Hancock Street and Kurtz Street.
Flames and heavy, black smoke damaged a surf shop, a welding shop, a fiber glass shop, an auto body store and a facility associated with Sea World, according to fire officials.
Some of SeaWorld's props for the Halloween show were damaged in the fire. There was also limited damage to a second storage container, a vehicle, fencing and other park decorations in the vicinity of the heavily damaged storage container, said a SeaWorld spokesperson. Damage costs have yet to be evaluated.
Firefighters had the fire extinguished by about 6 p.m. No word yet on the estimated damages or what caused the fire.
While battling the fire, crews stumbled upon a bunch of marijuana plants and materials associated with marijuana production inside a storage facility according to the San Diego Fire Department.
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Officials said the storage facility was not involved in the fire or damaged in any way.
More than 60 firefighters from various San Diego County agencies assisted in knocking out the flames.
Hazmat crews were also on scene because of hazardous materials associated with an Auto Body shop that caught ablaze, according to SDFD Deputy Chief Colin Stowell.
No one was hurt by the flames.
