Fire call reveals marijuana growing operation

PALM HARBOR, Fla. - Palm Harbor firefighters and Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies got a surprise when they responded to a fire call Friday night.

Crews put out a fire that was in a pot on the store in a house at 3749 Appleton Court in Palm Harbor.

While at the residence firefighters discovered the homeowner, Kerry Nichols, was running a marijuana growing operation.

Deputies discovered four marijuana plants and some marijuana growing equipment in the home. The 50-year-old Nichols was arrested and charged with cultivation and possession of marijuana.