Firefighters found more than flames when they were called to a blaze at a vacant home in Brampton on Monday night.
Marijuana plants were discovered when fire crews entered a house in the 100 block of Ecclestone Drive, near Royal Orchard Drive and Bovaird Drive, at about 10 p.m.
People who live in the area called 911 when they spotted smoke billowing from the home.
Fire crews forced their way into the home because the doors were locked and no one was inside. That's when they discovered the house was being used as marijuana grow operation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire officials told CP24 the person or people responsible for the grow op stole electricity by tapping into the neighbourhood's power supply and bypassing a hydro meter.
Peel Regional Police haven't said how many plants were found in the gutted home because officers are obtaining a warrant to enter and conduct a search of the property.
Residents said they rarely saw anyone at the home, and kids in the neighbourhood called it a "haunted house" because no one was around and the windows were covered.
No one was injured in the blaze.
To learn more about the common signs of an indoor marijuana grow op, click here.
With files from CP24's Cam Woolley
