WADSWORTH, Ohio (AP) - Firefighters dousing a blaze in a new home were confused when the presumed owner suddenly fled - until they found $700,000 worth of marijuana plants in the basement, officials said.

''It seemed so strange to me'' that he left, said Wadsworth Fire Chief Ralph Copley. ''If it were my home burning, I'd want to be there.''

After firefighters extinguished the blaze, which started in the attic early Friday, they found 239 marijuana plants filling a quarter of the basement, which was wired throughout for indoor plant growing, authorities said.