SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - Three people were taken to the hospital Sunday after being burned in a fire at a Mira Mesa home that authorities say housed an extensive marijuana growing operation.
The two-alarm blaze erupted at around 6 p.m. at a home in the 10000 block of Sunny Meadow Street, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department officials.
The exact cause of the fire is under investigation, but witnesses said they heard an explosion and then saw three people run out from the home. One witness said flames reached as high as 40 feet in the air.
Responding firefighters took about 30 minutes to douse the flames.
SDFRD officials said a 29-year-old man suffered third-degree burns on 95 percent of his body and is in critical condition. A 24-year-old man had burns on 50 percent of his body and a 28-year-old man suffered burns on 26 percent of his body.
According to SDFRD Battalion Chief Chuck Adams, the home had multiple rooms set up for different parts of the pot-growing business. Some rooms were for growing, and others were for storage and the business side of the operation.
The son of the homeowners said his parents were on vacation for a month, and his brother -- who was one of the injured -- was left alone at the home.
San Diego police said they are investigating the home as a marijuana growing operation. A hazmat unit was called to the home to assist with possible chemical issues after several propane tanks were found on the premises.
