Mysterious Truck Driver Saves Lives After Spotting House Fire In Erie

ERIE, Colo. (CBS4) - Investigators are looking to see if a potentially illegal marijuana growing operation contributed to a Friday morning house fire in Erie.

Investigators say they found the marijuana cultivation operation inside the home located on the 3900 block of Beasley Drive. It's not clear if that led to the fire.

"It could happen anywhere, but there's a reason you don't do it in residences," a neighbor said.

The fire started as an electrical fire at 3 a.m. that quickly spread. Investigators were looking to see if the fire started from the powerful electrical equipment used to grow marijuana.

One firefighter was treated at a hospital and released.

Crews were able to put out the fire quickly, but one room inside was heavily damaged and there was damage to the roof.

It's not clear if the residents were permitted by law to grow the marijuana, but neighbors told CBS4 it's prohibited by the homeowners association.

"Considering that there's a 2-year-old living right next door … pretty inconsiderate and irresponsible," another neighbor said.

The neighbor said a truck driver spotted the fire and drove into the neighborhood and laid on the horn. The horn got people up and out of their houses before the fire crews arrived. The truck driver drove off before anybody could find out who it was.

"If it wasn't for him that could have spread to the other houses and it could have been pretty dangerous. He's the only one who saw it … I'm so grateful for him."

Police said renters have been living in the home and it's not clear if charges will be filed.