Winnetka, CA — A fierce commercial fire erupted at the intersection of Sherman Way and Winnetka Avenue on March 7, 2022, at 5:41 p.m., sending plumes of smoke into the evening sky and drawing a rapid response from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). The blaze, which tore through a commercial structure, was swiftly extinguished, but firefighters uncovered an unexpected discovery: an illegal marijuana grow operation concealed within one of the burned buildings. Miraculously, no injuries were reported in the incident, which has sparked renewed concerns about hidden hazards in the San Fernando Valley.
LAFD crews, dispatched from nearby Fire Station 104 in Winnetka, arrived promptly to find flames engulfing a single-story commercial building at 20120 W. Sherman Way. Operating under the command of the Sherman Incident Command (IC), firefighters battled the blaze aggressively, achieving a knockdown in under an hour, according to LAFD spokesperson Margaret Stewart. The structure, part of a busy commercial strip, sustained significant damage, with the fire’s intensity threatening nearby businesses before being contained.
As crews conducted overhaul operations to ensure no hot spots remained, they stumbled upon evidence of an illegal cannabis grow operation inside the affected building. Rows of marijuana plants, grow lights, and ventilation equipment were found amidst the charred debris, indicating a sophisticated setup. The discovery prompted LAFD to notify the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Topanga Division, which has launched an investigation into the grow operation’s origins and operators. Authorities have not disclosed whether the fire was directly related to the grow operation, but electrical hazards commonly associated with such setups are under scrutiny as a potential cause.
The incident, occurring in Council District 3 under Bob Blumenfield, disrupted traffic along Sherman Way as emergency crews closed the intersection to manage the scene. No evacuations were required, and adjacent businesses escaped unscathed, though the discovery of the grow operation has raised alarms about unregulated activities in commercial spaces. “This is a wake-up call,” said a local business owner, who requested anonymity. “We need better oversight to prevent these kinds of risks in our neighborhood.”
As investigations continue, authorities are urging property owners and residents to report suspicious activities that could endanger the community. The LAPD is working to identify those responsible for the grow operation, while LAFD emphasizes the importance of fire safety compliance in commercial properties.
