By Isabelle Cruz
The Arcadia Police Department responded to the 300 block of Walnut Ave. at approximately 5:39 a.m. on Jan. 30, 2019, to investigate the report of a structure fire.
Upon arrival, officers observed a rear garage type structure fully engulfed in flames. The Arcadia Fire Department and assisting agencies extinguished the flames. No one was injured as a result of the fire.
Further investigation revealed the structure was being used for indoor marijuana cultivation. The structure contained hazardous materials, so Los Angeles County HAZ-MAT responded to assist in the clean-up.
According to California Department of Food and Agriculture, as of Jan. 16, 2019, new state cannabis cultivation and regulations went into effect. While cannabis cultivation is legal, these regulations outline how cannabis spaces should be tended such as: providing a canopy for young plants, a separate area for pesticides and other agricultural chemicals, a secure processing, packaging and disposal area, and so forth.
Cannabis cultivating requires hazardous waste disposal, according to hazardous waste experts. This is because; cannabis waste might contain regulated substances under federal law. Improper disposal have adverse effects on ecology and local wildlife animals because of residual tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main chemical that is responsible for marijuana’s medicinal effect.
The case is currently under investigation. No arrests have been made at this time.
Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Arcadia Police Department at (626) 574-5151, case number 19-0475. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call “Crime Stoppers” by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” mobile app on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or by using the website lacrimestoppers.org.
