OLD ORCHARD BEACH — A fire in the attic of an Atlantic Avenue home earlier this month led to an arrest for cultivation of marijuana.

Firefighters were called to 36 Atlantic Ave. on Jan. 6 around 2:45 a.m. to a fire on the second floor of the home in an open, finished attic area, said Fire Chief Ricky Plummer.

The fire was contained to the second floor, and the two people in the house were able to exit the home safely, said Plummer.

Police officers on the scene also discovered 102 illegal marijuana plants inside the home, and an overloaded extension cord used for the grow lights, according to a press release from the police department.

Joshua Poissant, 27, of Arundel, was arrested and charged with aggravated cultivation of marijuana, according to police. Poissant was able to post the $2,500 bail and was released.

The residence is located within a drug-free safe zone, according to the Old Orchard Beach police department.

The owner of the home, Joanne Poissant Corbin, had spoken with the Journal Tribune a few days after the fire, asking for the public’s help with repairs necessary for her and her family to move back into the house.

Corbin said she was a widow on limited income with a number of health problems, and had unsuccessfully applied for social security. She said she did not have home owners insurance.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].