Ottawa police say a barn fire earlier in the week near Blackburn Hamlet uncovered a cannabis grow-op and “clandestine” laboratory.
Police have closed down a section of Renaud Road from Anderson Road to Joshua Street twice in the past day as part of an investigation tied to a fire in the area earlier in the week.
Crews were called early Tuesday amid reports of a barn fire in the area. The flames were quickly doused but a hazmat crew was called to the scene after some of the materials in the structure emitted “toxic fumes” when burned.
“Initial assessment of the location indicates that the structure housed an indoor cannabis grow operation and a sophisticated clandestine extraction laboratory,” police said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
Police said they were working with Ottawa Fire Services, Health Canada and the Ontario fire marshal’s office to “investigate, assess and dismantle the operation.”
No injuries have been reported in connection with the fire.
Sections of Renaud Road remain closed Thursday afternoon with no timeline for reopening.