Asian Gang's SGV Pot Growhouse Goes Up in Smoke

A fire in a home in the North San Gabriel Valley led authorities to discover a marijuana growing operation of about 1,700 plants, according to the Star-News. The fire was sparked by a compost pile in the living room. In the San Gabriel Valley, authorities say it's a growing practice to see homes gutted to make room for equipment and marijuana plants that will become the pot sold at dispensaries. An LA County Sheriff's detective says these operations are run by "Asian Gangs" who rent the homes and cultivate the crops. No arrests were made, though a man was seen running from the scene when the fire broke out.