Fire caused severe damage to a home in LaSalle Monday morning, and revealed the presence of a marijuana grow operation.
The fire began around 1 a.m. at 1520 John F. Kennedy St. on the main floor of a four-plex, then spread to the top floor and the roof and through the fire wall to the other side of the building.
One woman escaped the fire and made her own way to hospital to be treated for burns, and four other residents were forced to flee the building.
About 50 firefighters were needed to bring the flames under control.
Once the fire was extinguished firefighters discovered 40 cannabis plants in the residence where the fire began.
The exact cause of the fire is not known.
The fire caused about $250,000 in damage.
Police are now investigating.
