Scared residents have spoken out after a house fire uncovered a cannabis factory in their terraced cul-de-sac, stating “it was like something out of a film”.
Flames raged from a home in Marley Street, Beeston, from about 8.15am today (Monday, June 5). Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof while firefighters worked to put the fire out. One resident said they woke to the smell of “burning rubber and weed”.
Fire crews discovered cannabis grows all over the house. West Yorkshire Police was informed and dispatched officers to the scene, closing off the house with a cordon while investigations got underway.
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Residents said there was pandemonium on the street with the fire engines inadvertently blocking people from departing to work.
Elizabeth Scarth, who’s lived on the street for nine years, says she was shocked to find out what had happened. The 53-year-old had been watching cartoons with her toddler granddaughter that morning and was blissfully unaware of what had been occurring on her doorstep.
She then received a phone call from a neighbour, telling her to open her window and to take a look outside at the chaos.
Elizabeth said: “I opened the blind, had a look and couldn’t believe what was going on. I’d heard engines but I just thought it was the bin men.
“I smelt it when I came out, it smelled like cannabis. I couldn’t believe it. It was like something out of a film. It’s totally unsafe. I need to get out of here.”
She spoke of another recent fire on the street, which had left her shaken and resulted in a neighbour being evicted.
Mum-of-two Judie, 53, spoke of how “scary” it was when she the smoke billowing down the street, fearing for the safety of children who lived nearby.
She woke up to her son running into her bedroom to tell her about the fire. Judie said: “I saw smoke coming out the door. It scared me.
“You think about your own property, all that damage. It just smelt like smoke, nasty. I’ve lived a very colourful life and have seen all sorts, so not much scares me.”
West Yorkshire Police said: "Shortly after 8.15am, police were contacted by colleagues at the fire service to reports of a house fire in Marley Street, Beeston. Officers attended and a cannabis grow was located within the property, which is currently being made safe. No one is believed to be injured and enquiries are ongoing."
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