Ohio Fire Leads to Alleged Drug House

The Carroll County Sheriff??s department arrested Gerald A. Nichols, 48, of Carrollton, on felony marijuana cultivation charges, after being called to the scene of a house fire at Nichols residence.

According to Carroll County Sheriff, Dale R. Williams, firefighters responded Nichols' home when it caught on fire after some ashes from a wood stove were dumped outside near the structure and blew under the house??s floor.

Firefighters then called the Sheriff's office to report allegedly discovering an indoor marijuana growing operation.

Deputies allegedly seized 10 marijuana plants, and also found a total of 24 guns, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff Dale Williams says the plants have a street value of $10,000.