Fire uncovers drug operation in Mayfair

MAYFAIR (WPVI) -- A fire at a house in Mayfair quickly turned into a drug investigation on Monday.

Fire crews arrived on the 2900 block of Longshore Avenue just before 11:30 a.m., and then immediately called for police.

The fire was in the basement of a row home on the block.

When firefighters put it out, they found evidence that the rental property was being used to grow synthetic marijuana with the use of acetone - a chemical commonly used in nail polish remover.

Police then obtained the proper search warrants.

"The fire ward responded to a fire, which would appear to be a weedy-type substance on the floor in the basement, which was soaked with acetone. And I believe that as a result from spontaneous combustion it caught on fire," an undercover police officer explained.

Fortunately, no one was in the house at the time of the fire.

Police say they have the name of at least one person of interest, but no arrests have been made.

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