Pot Plants Discovered In Ortega Highway Fire

A blaze west of Lake Elsinore Thursday night got the attention of more than just firefighters.

The house fire in the 32400 block of Ortega Highway in El Cariso Village was reported at 10:17 p.m., according to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann.

When firefighters arrived, they found the single-family home partially involved in flames, she reported.

Twenty-three firefighters quickly doused the blaze and no injuries were reported, but during the incident several marijuana plants were discovered.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department was called into the investigation.

“Cal Fire did call us out after they discovered numerous marijuana plants,” confirmed Sgt. Lisa McConnell. “Our investigators responded out but they do not have any suspects in custody.”

The cause of the blaze is under investigation.