Sophisticated grow operation using tents
NEW WINDSOR – A New Windsor man sustained heavy burns on most of his body when he opened a door in the building where he lived and was hit by fire.
Robert McDougall, 55, told town police when they arrived at 615 Union Avenue just before 11 a.m. on Tuesday that he heard a loud noise in the lower level and opened the door. That’s when he was met by flames.
McDougall was transported by New Windsor EMS to St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Newburgh in critical condition and later flown to Westchester Medical Center.
The fire was extinguished by the Vails Gate Fire Department. Members of the fire department, New Windsor Fire Inspector’s Office and town police checked the scene and located what appeared to be a marijuana grow operation with 38 plants in that unit. Authorities found several types of accessories that are commonly used for growing marijuana indoors.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the fire and if it had anything to do with the area he was using to dry some of the marijuana plants.
