An attic fire broke out at a home in Mira Mesa early Sunday morning. While firefighters put out the fire, San Diego Police officers made a surprising discovery -- a full-blown marijuana "garden".
The fire started just after 5 a.m. in the 11200 block of Ganesta Road in Mira Mesa.
Joshua Rasmussen, 28, was asleep at the time of the fire and was woken up by firefighters.
He has been arrested for growing marijuana inside the home. Over 300 plants were found inside the house, all at various growth stages.
A neighbor says Rasmussen had a medical marijuana card, but even so, he much more than the legal amount.
The fire was caused by some sort of electrical malfunction, most likely by equipment that was being used for the indoor marijuana operation. The San Diego Fire Department, however, can't confirm that the marijuana growing equipment is what started the blaze. Officials say they don't know yet if it was heat or wiring that started the fire.
The total estimated damage to the house was estimated at $150,000.
