Firefighters: Drug operation found in burning building (KPTV) / 11,22,2011 A fire at a southeast Portland warehouse has turned into a police investigation involving an alleged marijuana growing operation. Firefighters were called out at 3:19 p.m. to 14439 S.E. Stark St. Flames were shooting from the roof of the building, which was believed to be a woodworking shop. Incident commanders called for a second alarm at 3:30, bringing additional firefighters and equipment to fight the growing fire. Firefighters were then ordered to exit the building and attack the fire from the outside because the roof was beginning to cave in. The situation was under control at 4:20 p.m. After the smoke cleared, firefighters say they found a large and sophisticated marijuana growing operation inside. They say it covered much of the 5,000-square-foot warehouse. The fire was deemed suspicious. Portland Police are now investigating it as a crime scene. The cause of the fire is not yet known. A damage estimate is not yet available.
