Flames rip through Wolverhampton cannabis factory

They were called to Kenton Avenue, Newbridge, area of the city last night to the detached property.

Four fire engines were called at around 9.30pm last night and the occupants had managed to leave the property before fire crews arrived.

The fire completely destroyed most of the semi-detached house and also spread into the roof of a neighbouring property.

The cause of the fire is as yet unknown.

West Midlands Fire Service crew commander Al Partridge, from Wolverhampton station, said: "The property was being used as a cannabis factory, not all of the rooms, but one bedroom and the loft space. We are not sure if the cause of the fire is die to that or something else.

"When we first got there the fire had broken through the roof space at the front of the property.

"Within minutes it was fully engulfed and the roof was collapsing. It took a good two hours until we managed to put it out because the front door was open and everyone had evacuated, we couldn't get in because of how dangerous it was. We could see the ceiling from the first floor falling down."

As the fire spread to the loft of the neighbouring property, fire crews forced entry into the house to gain access to the loft space to stop the fire spreading any further.

No-one was inside the neighbouring property at the time.

Crew commander Partridge added: "It has completely destroyed the house. The first floor and roof space have 100 per cent damage and everywhere else is 50 per cent due to smoke and water.

A total of four fire crews attended, two from Wolverhampton, one from Tettenhall and one from Fallings Park. Crews used hose reels and main jets to put out the blaze and were still at the scene until early this morning.

Twitter user Gina J told the Express & Star: "This fire is really bad. Loads of fire engines trying to put it out but it's not working. Pray the residents are safe."

Walsalva Huminiuk, aged 78, who lives two doors down from the property said: "It was really frightening. I didn't see when it started but I was in the house when I heard the fire engines and sirens. I wanted to know what was happening so I managed to get up the stairs to look out of the windows. I could see it was being dealt with by fire officers."

Anwar Hassam, aged 61, who lives two doors to the right of the house said: "We were in the house at the time. My son Muhammed Ali (18) spotted it and we could see the flames from our top floor window. We were worried that it might spread.

"This is a quiet street. I never really saw the neighbours who lived there, except for normal comings and goings. We didn't really speak to them or know them at all."

A fire investigation team arrived at the scene shortly after 10am. The area immediately in front of the adjoining houses affected by the fire remained cordoned off by police.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Kate Baker said: "The remains of a cannabis factory were discovered and officers are currently at the scene whilst further investigation is carried out.

"No arrests were made and enquiries are still ongoing."

July 6 update: Investigations have confirmed the fire was started by a faulty boiler. West Midlands Police has concluded its investigation and no further action is being taken.