UPDATED 1:15 p.m., Dec. 5.
A first alarm structure fire emergency at 220 S. Gilbert St. (at Ballard) was called in to Hardin County dispatchers on December 4.
Ada Police Chief Michael A. Harnishfeger issued the following report on the house fire and resulting drug investigation.
"On Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 6:13 p.m. the Ada Liberty Fire Department and the Ada Police Department were dispatched to 220 S. Gilbert Street, a 3-unit apartment house on a report of an active fire.
"Upon officer’s arrival all occupants of the apartments were evacuated. The tenant of the subject apartment was transported to a Lima Hospital and subsequently flown to a hospital in Toledo for treatment.
"Upon investigation the Ada Police Department discovered a large marijuana grow operation as well as an unknown lab processing area within the kitchen. The Ada Police Department has confiscated the marijuana grow operation and is currently investigating the contents and makeup of the lab processing area with the assistance of the State Fire Marshal and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
"At this point several families were displaced by the fire and the Red Cross has been involved to provide housing for those affected.
"The Ada Police Department was assisted by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office Crime Task Force, as well as those agencies already mentioned."
