CUMBERLAND — A residential fire Tuesday afternoon led to the arrest of a 38-year-old Cumberland man after firefighters discovered dozens of marijuana plants in his basement.
Cumberland Public Safety personnel responded to 62 Sun Valley Drive around 2 p.m. for a reported structure fire at a single-story residence.
After bringing the basement fire under control, Cumberland Fire Department personnel discovered what they described as an “elaborate” marijuana cultivation operation and alerted police.
The home was unoccupied during the fire, and the owner’s dog and cat escaped through a rear “doggy door” and were later found safe in the backyard.
Cumberland Police detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant and found 40 mature marijuana plants standing several feet tall in the basement.
Mark Garvey, the homeowner who was on scene during the incident, was charged with felony possession of marijuana.
Police said Garvey did not possess any licensing to grow marijuana, and the amount discovered exceeded the legal “personal use” limit.
Garvey will be presented before a bail commissioner Tuesday evening.
