Cannabis farms causing house fires

Cannabis factories have been to blame for around one house fire every fortnight over the past year, it emerged today.

A total of 24 cannabis factories were discovered after house fires broke out across the region, according to figures released by fire service bosses.

West Midlands Fire Service has started sending out regular information bulletins to educate firefighters and officers about the dangers involved in fighting fires in a building where cannabis is grown.

Risks include booby-traps set up by growers such as electrified doors, and unprotected wires as they siphon off electricity from the main supply.

Fire service spokeswoman Lindsey Preece said cannabis factories were not only illegal but extremely dangerous.

" The majority of the cannabis factories which we discovered, as a direct result of accidental fire breaking out, were proven to be caused by faulty electrics and wiring which had been bypassed," she said.

"In most cases, the loft area of properties, or a spare bedroom, was being used to cultivate the cannabis plants. The light and heat required to encourage growth led, in most cases, to extremely dangerous re-wiring works being carried out which posed a significant level of risk, not only to occupants of the properties but to neighbouring buildings."

A further 31 fires were connected to cannabis, for example a fire started after someone fell asleep while smoking a cannabis joint.

The service is now working closely with police to try and combat the problem.

In May, hundreds of cannabis plants were discovered when fire crews were called to a blaze in Crowther Street, Fallings Park.

Structural engineers were called in to ensure the property was safe for firefighters and investigating officers.

And in November last year, frightened residents were forced to flee their homes after a blaze started at a cannabis factory in Bent Street, Brierley Hill.

Flames ripped through the house in the early hours of the morning just three days after the terraced house was raided by police, who seized 200 cannabis plants and growing equipment.

Around 20 residents were evacuated from their homes.