Police discover cannabis factory while responding to fire at Swindon address

By Jessica Durston - 27 January 2022

Crime

Swindon Police officers are carrying out enquiries after a cannabis factory was located in Gorse Hill.

Officers were called to reports of a fire at an address on Beatrice Street at approximately 9.30pm last night - 26 January and attended along with the fire service.
 
The fire service were able to extinguish the fire at the ground floor of a mid-terraced property, which caused severe damage, but everyone was accounted for and neighbours were evacuated.
 
When in the property, a cannabis factory running over two floors and containing approximately 100 cannabis plants has been discovered.
 
The cause of the fire remains under investigation but is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and a cordon remains in place.
 
Insp Ben Huggins said: “The building has been made safe and I would like to thank the fire service in ensuring this didn’t end in tragedy.
 
“I’d also like to thank the local community for their patience and cooperation during the disruption this has caused, with neighbours having to be evacuated for their own safety and the road being closed temporarily.
 
“A detailed investigation has begun to establish how this cannabis factory was set up and who was responsible, and there will be a police presence in the area while this continues.
 
“We would like to hear from anyone in the local area who may have seen any suspicious activity at the property or have any information on the occupants to come forward and speak to us.”
 
Anyone with information is being asked to call the police on 101, quoting log 301 of yesterday’s date - 26 January.
Officers say they would particularly like to hear from anyone who has CCTV in the local area.
 
Alternatively, members of the public can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
 
Individuals that have concerns of drug activity or cultivation in their area, are being urged to contact the police on 101 to report concerns or by going online to report at https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/.../how-to-report-a-crime/

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