A huge building fire led to the discovery of a 'booby tapped' cannabis farm with 270 cannabis plants.
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service rushed to Radstock Road in Fairfield at around 1.15am on Monday, April 4, following reports of a building blaze. Once at the scene fire fighters entered the building and found 270 cannabis plants across three flats.
It is believed the fire started at a bridged electricity meter and caused extensive damage to the entrance and smoke damage throughout. The flat was made safe by an engineer, who also found door handles had been electrified.
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There were no people in the building at the time of the fire and enquiries are ongoing to locate the occupants.
Cannabis Dismantling Team Manager Matt Brown said: "This incident is a very clear indication of the dangers posed by cannabis farms. Thankfully, no people were hurt by this fire, thanks largely to the efforts of firefighters who attended, and the risk to neighbouring properties has now been removed.
"We are determined to bring to justice those criminals who risked the safety of the occupants and neighbours by overloading plugs and tinkering with the wiring, and even electrifying door handles in an attempt to booby trap the premises.”
Matt Brown added: "This incident shows why it is vital that we find cannabis farms as quickly as possible. Nobody wants to live close to a potential death-traps such as this, and it is often thanks to people living in the areas affected who tell us about their suspicions, and the proactivity of our officers, that we are able to take action.
"The people who run these farms care far more about making ill-gotten gains than the risks they pose to neighbouring properties. We're keen to speak with anyone who might have seen people coming or going from the address on Radstock Road in recent days and weeks.
"Any details of suspicious people or vehicles could prove vital in helping identify those responsible and we will act on all information received."
Anyone with information on suspected drug production or criminal activity in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
