Drug, Endangerment Charges In Port Carbon Fire | News

PORT CARBON — The man police believe is responsible for growing marijuana inside a double home that caught fire Wednesday is in custody in Schuylkill County.

Dean Vermeersch, 53, from Port Carbon faces drug charges and is accused of putting people in danger. 

The fire marshal said an electrical overload between the first and second floor of the home caused the fire.

Investigators believe some of the equipment used in the marijuana operation was connected to the outlet.

A family on the other side of the double block home was forced out by the flames.

Vermeersch is locked up today in the Schuylkill County prison.