A triple-crime scene—at least—that’s what faces investigators of the Watauga Sheriff’s Department, fire marshal’s office, and possibly other agencies that might become involved as things evolve.

The initial call was to a house in the Triplett area, the structure off Elk Creek Road found fully involved in flames at about 5:30 this morning. Stewart Simmons and fire units from back-up departments in Wilkes and Watauga found themselves facing the fire-fighting effort while trying to stay out of the range of ammunition going off in the fire.  As the scene was being checked, the next house down the drive was found to have been broken into, as well as a relatively new outbuilding on the original property.  Inside that outbuilding, a rather sophisticated marijuana growing operation was found, complete with tracking grow lights, chemicals, timers and new growing areas under construction.  A number of growing plants were also found on the scene.  It appeared the house that burned had been occupied, but by whom and locating that person one of the many aspects to be dealt with by investigators. Efforts to contact the owner of the second house break-in was underway in a complex crime scene that will take some time and effort to sort out.  Picture files on GoBlueRidge.net, video on our YouTube GoBlueRidge site linked from the story:  http://www.youtube.com/user/GoBlueRidgeNews