Calgary police say five people face charges after a suspected drug processing lab was discovered when a residential garage went up in flames last week.

Fire crews were called to a house in the 100 block of Sherwood Mount N.W. on Jan. 3 and put out a fire in the front garage.

As firefighters checked the rest of the house for flames, they discovered powder substances and packaging materials consistent with a drug processing lab, police said in a release.

A search warrant turned up $283,000 worth of drugs, including cocaine, meth and heroin. Police say they also found a handgun and about $10,000 in cash.

It's believed the fire was sparked by improperly discarded smoking materials.

Po Lo Yu, 45, Kim Ha Nguyen, 44, Thang Van Lam, 43, Kevin Do, 23, and Cynthia Kathy Yu, 21, all of Calgary, were each charged with production of a controlled substance, possession of proceeds obtained by crime, possession of a restricted firearm, and possession for the purpose of trafficking.