Hydroponic growing equipment and cannabis plants destroyed in fire

Cannabis plants and thousands of dollars’ worth of sophisticated hydroponic growing equipment were destroyed in a fire at a Drouin crop house on Friday afternoon.

Baw Baw CIU detectives believe the crop house is linked to an Asian organised crime syndicate.

An electrical fault has been identified for the cause of the non-suspicious fire at the Lindman St house.

Detectives said the sophisticated hydroponic growing system included an electrical bypass and carbon filters in the ceiling.

Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment was destroyed by the fire which largely consumed two rooms of the house.

About 20 mature cannabis plants were destroyed.

Detectives said 40 large cannabis plants, about 70 seedlings and a quantity of equipment were seized.

The CFA received a call to the house fire at about midday on Friday.

A CFA fire investigator determined transformers overheated within the electrical equipment and caused the accidental fire.

Detectives are continuing investigations into occupants at the house and the operation.