Fire leads to discovery of a marijuana grow operation in Sarasota

SARASOTA -- A Sarasota man was charged when detectives discovered a marijuana grow operation after his house caught fire, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office.

Michael Lopriore, 42, was arrested at 12:32 a.m. Friday at his home in the 6200 block of Hollywood Boulevard.

According to a release, first responders arrived at the residence around 6 p.m. Thursday for a residential fire. According to the tenant, Lopriore, he was on the second floor balcony using his grill when the propane tank exploded causing the 3-story home to catch fire. Upon extinguishing the flames, the sheriff's office said the Sarasota County Fire Department alerted deputies to several marijuana plants on the third floor exterior balcony.

According to the release, deputies notified detectives who obtained a search warrant for the house. The search revealed 19 plants and several miscellaneous quantities of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, the sheriff's office said. In all, 1,574 grams of marijuana was seized.

Lopriore was charged with cultivation of marijuana and released on $1,500 bond.

According to the sheriff's office, the State Fire Marshal is continuing its investigation.

This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 4:07 PM with the headline "Fire leads to discovery of a marijuana grow operation in Sarasota ."