Criminal charges were pending Monday after firefighters putting out a house fire in Southeast Austin discovered a drug room.

By the time fire fighters got to the house at 5716 Encinal Cove Sunday morning, the fire had destroyed nearly everything inside. However, in a back room, firefighters found dozens of uniformed black planting pots in plain sight. Police say the pots were filled with marijuana. Detectives also said they found drug paraphernalia in the house and surveillance equipment throughout the back yard.

“I wouldn’t really be surprised because the way they behaved when they came and (went) and how many people came and (went) from the house,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous.

Arson investigators say two people were renting the house. Their names have not been released, and neither has the name of the owner.

So far no one has been charged with any crime, but Austin police say someone will be charged once they know who actually owned the plants and who knew about what was happening.

“You know it's the strangest thing -- you could see a crime going on and it doesn't register until later, and then you think back at it and somebody's pointing things out to you and realize, that happened... that happened. You just (think) ‘Oh my gosh;’ then you realize,” said the anonymous neighbor.

Fire investigators are also still investigating. The fire hasn’t been ruled arson yet, but detectives say there's evidence that shows this fire wasn’t accidental. It’s unclear if the fire was related to the illegal operations happening inside the house.