OCALA, Fla. --
When Ocala firefighters arrived at a house fire, they found more than flames. The home was being used as a marijuana grow house.
Investigators found a number of pot plants inside the burning home on Southwest 38th Court (see map) early Wednesday morning.
The renter of the house, Julian Vinas, claimed to have no knowledge of the grow room, which took up nearly half of his interior living space.
Vinas alleges a man, by the name of Miguel, is the person who is responsible for growing the marijuana and the fire.
Vinas stated to officers that Miguel paid him $350.00 per month to live there. Witness statements and evidence at the scene, however, paints a different picture.
Vinas lives at the home with his wife, three children and a dog. They all made it out safely.
Officers arrested Vinas who faces charges, which include, arson, cultivation of marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and child endangerment.
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