Three Grow-Ops Found After Fire Ousts Tenants

Police have confirmed that there was something illegal going on at the scene of an apartment fire that has left dozens of families temporarily homeless. But even they were surprised to find three grow ops had been set up inside, after a suspicious blaze broke out at  2369 Lake Shore Blvd. W. near Royal York Thursday  afternoon. The power was knocked out and six people suffered smoke inhalation as a result.

It’s not known yet what caused the blaze or if the marijuana operation led to the 3-alarm inferno. But it’s displaced the tenants, who have no idea when they will be allowed back home, and investigators admit the illegal activity could have sparked it.

That prospect has residents fuming.

“They damaged a lot of the building, endangered a lot of lives, and put us out for a week, possibly two, maybe more who knows, there’s a lot of frustrations,” said Bernadette Johnstone.

“It’s completely irresponsible, here we are an innocent family being thrown out on the street basically because of these people and their selfishness,” adds building resident Deborah.

The electrical damage is considered extensive and the repairs may take some time.

At a Friday press conference, Toronto Fire officials admitted they have no idea when residents will be allowed back in permanently. 

They are going to temporarily allow the tenants on the first, second and fourth floors back in slowly to get their personal effects on Saturday.

Residents on the third floor, which was the most heavily damaged, won’t be permitted inside.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, 500 tenants may have to find alternate living arrangements until Monday. They were forced out of their Kingston Rd. condominium early Thursday morning after a transformer exploded in the basement.

Fortunately there were no injuries in the blast. However, utilities were cut to the building, meaning residents weren’t able to return home. Most opted to stay with friends or family.

There’s no indication what caused the explosion.

Tenants praised the actions of emergency services crews in getting everyone to safety quickly.

Those affected will be able to retrieve personal belongings from the building on Saturday or Sunday at the following times:

Floors 1 and 2 at 1pm
Floors 3 and 4 at 1:40pm
Floors 5 and 6 at 2:20pm
Floors 7 and 8 at 3pm
Floor 9 at 3:40pm

Townhouse residents will be able to access their units between 1 pm and 5pm on Saturday or Sunday.

All those wishing to access their units should register at the Scarborough Village Community Centre at 3600 Kingston Road.

Further details are available on the City of Toronto website.

How To Spot A Grow Op

• Evidence of tampering with the electric meter (damaged or broken seals) or the ground around it.
• Homes made to look lived-in by things like light-timers, but very few people are seen coming in and out of the home. 
• Late night or very short visits by people. 
• Strange smells or overpowering smells of fabric softener. 
• Water lines and/or electrical cords running to the basement or outbuilding. .Unusual noises such as hammering or drilling into the basement foundation.
• People bringing unusual items into the house, such as bags of soil, lots of plant roots and potting plants. 
• Excess potting soil or other grow mediums around the residence or in the immediate area- .People continually bringing items and taking items away in garbage bags.Windows that are always covered.
• Residence or outbuilding has unusual amount of roof vents or exhaust fan noises. Outbuildings have air-conditioners. 
• Unusual amounts of steam coming from vents in the house in cold weather . 
• A house rooftop with no snow on it when the roofs of surrounding houses are snow- covered. 
• High condensation around windows. .Little or no garbage being put out. 
• Individuals arriving at the house to put out the garbage, shovel the snow or cut the lawn and then leaving immediately.
• People entering and exiting the residence only through the garage keeping the garage door closed. 
• People seen coming and going from the house only every week or so. 
• New neighbours never taking furniture or groceries into the house. 
• House or utilities obtained under assumed names with payment made in cash. 
• House rented under assumed names with payment made in cash. 
• Purchase of very expensive heat lamps for unexplained reason. 
• Unexplained and unseasonably high utility bills. 
• Property with excessive security (e.g. guard dogs, “keep out” signs, high fences, heavy chains and locks on gates). 
• The building of a large green house or tin barn on property where these structures would normally not be utilized. 
• Unusual amount of vehicular traffic (especially at night) carrying unknown individuals on and off the property with entrance gates always being locked after entry.
• Large purchases by individuals of fertilizer, garden hose, plastic PVC pipe, chicken wire, long pieces of 2X2lumber, different sizes of pots (utilized for different stages of growing plants). Machetes, camouflage netting, camouflage clothing, various sizes of step ladders (up to 18 to 20 feet) usually painted with green and brown paint, green plastic garden tie materials, cans of green spray paint, large trash bags, lanterns, portable heaters (such as large kerosene heaters), extension cords, heat lamps and fans.

  Source: York Regional Police

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