A building fire resulted in the discovery of a small grow-op in the North Okanagan over the weekend.

Falkland RCMP were called to assist the Silver Creek Fire Department on Saturday after firefighters discovered a small marihuana grow operation in an adjacent outbuilding on the property in the 2300 block of Salmon River Road.

Corporal Keith Ferguson says the blaze broke out around 2 p.m.

“They were able to contain the fire to an outbuilding on the property which was totally destroyed. The occupants of the property were reportedly out of the province at the time. The cause of the fire is undetermined, however it is suspected to be related to marihuana growing equipment,” says Ferguson.

He says marijuana grow operations often have substandard electrical wiring, and other sources for fire, such as indoor generators and transformers.

“Firefighting is dangerous. Crews responding to these types of fires are being placed in undue risk. The community is also at risk, as firefighting apparatus is occupied while fighting these fires.”

Police seized 104 immature marihuana plants.