Marijuana plants discovered after trailer home catches fire

COLUMBIA — A Harrisburg man was arrested on drug charges Monday after fire crews found marijuana plants in his trailer home after it caught fire.

Deputies from the Boone County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to assist the Boone County Fire Protection District during a fire at 9902 Eaton Road. While attempting to extinguish the fire, officials discovered marijuana plants growing inside the home, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Department.

Dalen Dibben, 39, of Harrisburg, was arrested on suspicion of distribution, manufacture or possession of controlled substance, the release says.

Division Chief Gale Blomenkamp of the Boone County Fire Protection District said the fire began when a neighbor was burning trash in a burn barrel. Sparks ignited the grass, which spread to Dibben’s yard and eventually to the west end of his mobile home. The fire was extinguished in about 15 minutes after firefighters arrived at the scene.

The marijuana plants were discovered by fire officials in the bedroom of the home during salvage and overhaul operations, Blomenkamp said. Officials removed the plants from the home and informed the Sheriff’s Department.

Nobody was in the residence at the time of the fire, but a dog was found unconscious and revived outside the home.

Dibben posted bond set at $10,000.