Police Find Marijuana Grow House Inside Burning Paramus Home

PARAMUS, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Four people are under arrest after police and firefighters who were called to a house fire in Paramus, New Jersey discovered a marijuana grow house.

Authorities said police and fire crews were called to the home at 34 North Farview Ave. around 2 a.m. Thursday.

When emergency crews arrived, the garage of the home was fully engulfed in flames, Paramus police said. The fire quickly spread to the home and a second alarm was declared.

Police said when officers and firefighters rushed into the home to rescue two residents inside, they found the marijuana grow house, comprised of about 50 plants, in the basement.

Police said the plants ranged from several inches to three feet tall. Harvested marijuana was also found in the home, police said.

Four occupants of the home were arrested following the discovery. Chet Weaver, 47; Cody Hill, 28; Steven Burton, 44; and Zachery Hill, 34 were charged with sale and manufacture of marijuana. Weaver was also charged with cocaine possession, police said.

The men were released on $10,000 bail.

Firefighters were able to put the fire out in about 30 minutes. Officials said it appeared the fire started on the outside of the home from an electric meat drying machine that malfunctioned.