Firefighters work to put out the blaze on Wolf Creek Road in Spring Valley Lakes, Calif., on Monday, September 6, 2010. Photo by Denise Johnson.

SPRING VALLEYLAKES – Authorities are investigating the possibility that a Monday home fire was intentionally set.

The home, located at 3078 Wolf Creek Road in Spring Valley Lakes, was reported on fire at about 1:45 p.m., according to Capt. James Bauman of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

Bauman said firefighters from Cal Fire and the Northshore Fire Protection District responded to the residence.

At about 3 p.m. while they were working on the scene firefighters discovered a suspected marijuana grow on the property and requested a response by the sheriff’s office, he said. Firefighters also requested an investigator with the Lake County Arson Task Force respond after identifying the fire’s apparent point of origin.

When deputies arrived on scene, Bauman said they were led to an outdoor grow about 100 yards from the residence.

He said the grow consisted of more than 70 marijuana plants ranging from 1 foot to 4 feet in height. Initially, there were no indications of it being a legitimate medical grow. Once the fire was contained, deputies were also led to a room in the home containing smaller marijuana plants believed to be marijuana clones.

Sheriff’s detectives were also called out to assist with the investigation of the marijuana grow, and a possible arson investigation, he said.

The residents of the property, identified as 46-year-old George Rhodes and 43-year-old Becky Rhodes, arrived at the scene during the investigation, he said.

Bauman said they told detectives they had left the property to go to Sacramento at 9 a.m. and had just returned. The couple claimed the marijuana was being grown legitimately for medical purposes, which he said detectives have since confirmed.

The cause of the fire, which apparently started outside of the structure on a deck, is pending further investigation, Bauman said.

As fire crews arrived at the scene they saw a vehicle with two unidentified occupants exiting the property. Bauman said the vehicle was described as an SUV similar to a Jeep Cherokee and possibly white in color.

Anyone with information as to how the structure fire may have started, or, who may have information on the identity of the two people seen leaving the Wolf Creek property is encouraged to contact Det. Mike Curran or Det. John Drewrey at 707-262-4200.

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