18
Aug
2015
By Calvin at 12:19 GMT, 10 years ago
Firefighters discovered a cannabis farm after being called to a property in Old Swan this morning, Tuesday 18 August.
Crews were called to a house on Ennismore Road, at just after 5am, after a neighbour reported seeing smoke coming from a window of the property.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service sent two fire appliances to the scene. Firefighters forced entry into the house and put out the fire which involved two rooms. A number of cannabis plants were discovered in two front rooms, which were both destroyed by the fire.
Up to 50 plants were also discovered in a rear bedroom.
It is believed the fire started accidentally due to an electrical fault.
A joint investigation between Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and Merseyside Police is now underway.
Detective Sergeant Paul Lamb said: “Cannabis cultivation by criminal gangs can cause serious harm in our communities. Criminal groups involved in the cultivation of cannabis are usually involved in other serious organised crime and they often rent residential properties such as this.
"The growing of cannabis also brings dangers to neighbouring properties. Cannabis farms are a serious fire risk. Those who set up these farms often tamper with the electricity meters to steal electricity, and there will generally be a number of hot lamps hooked to overloaded electricity sockets and an extensive watering system.
"Electricity and water are never a good combination and the fire service has seen an increase in the number of fires they have been called to as a result of fires caused by the crude systems put in place by the people who set up these farms.
"Our communities can help us stop these groups, who are only interested in making money, from turning houses and flats into potential death traps. Nobody wants to live next door to these houses and we would ask that if you believe someone is using a property in a street for this purpose please tell us so we can take positive action and find those responsible for setting them up."
Station Manager Alan Fletcher said: “Quick reactions by firefighters prevented the fire from spreading to neighbouring properties. Cannabis farms can pose a great risk to members of the public and firefighters alike and quite often do not have working smoke alarms, or any means of fire detection.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 4067 or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
TCPW Comment: No mention yet of arrests, but I wouldn’t be surprised if those responsible had ‘done a runner’ and were never normally resident there. Be careful when renting out a property to new people – make sure you do all your background checks.
Source: Merseyside Police: http://www.merseyside.police.uk/news/latest-news/2015/08/cannabis-farm-discovered-in-old-swan/
