June 08--Flames engulfed a Sebastopol house Saturday afternoon in the 400 block of Flynn Street, and police later reported they believed the house was being used solely to grow marijuana.
The single-structure fire was reported about 1:43 p.m. as smoke coming from the back of the house.
Sebastopol firefighters at the scene upgraded it to a working structure fire and battled flames that spread throughout the house, wrapping up by 3:20 p.m., according to Sebastopol Fire Reserve Engineer Ray Sanchez.
The blaze was contained by 3:20 p.m. No injuries were reported.
Police obtained a search warrant and located 78 marijuana plants and growing equipment. No personal items suggesting anyone was living at the house were found, police said.
Improper electrical modifications may have been responsible for the fire, police reported. An investigation is ongoing.
Firefighters from Sebastopol, Graton and Gold Ridge responded to the scene.
Copyright 2013 - The Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Calif.
