Police are investigating a Gorham house fire that they say was caused by lamps used to grow marijuana.
The fire broke out at the 449 Ossipee Trail residence at about 5 p.m. on Friday, said Gorham Fire Chief Robert Lefebvre.
Gorham Police Lt. Chris Sanborn said police are working with the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Gorham Fire Department and the state Fire Marshal’s Office on the investigation.
Lefebvre said the entire second floor was being used to grow marijuana. “The fire was started by a high intensity grow lamp,” Lefebvre said. The heat lamp tipped over and set the floor on fire, Lefebvre said.
Sanborn said police found marijuana plants in the house, but he was not sure how many plants were discovered.
Firefighters brought the fire under control at the single-family home in about 20 minutes. The property was rented, Lefebvre said, and no one was home at the time of the fire. He estimated the damage to the home between $10,000 and $15,000.
“We had a real heavy fire in the front of the house,” Lefebvre said. “The guys did a pretty good job getting it knocked down.”
Firefighters waited on the scene until almost 1 a.m. until police secured a search warrant for the property.
On Tuesday morning, Sanborn said no charges had been filed in connection with the fire, and he declined to discuss any possible suspects. Sanborn said police could file charges in this case as early as this week.
Firefighters from the Standish and Buxton fire departments assisted Gorham firefighters at the scene.
Staff Writer Robert Lowell contributed to this story.
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