Drug farm find after house fire causes gas leak
30 homes have to be evacuated
POLICE uncovered a cannabis farm after a fire caused a suspected gas leak which forced about 30 homes to be evacuated. Firefighters were called to a property on Pembroke Street in Bacup.
The fire caused damage to a gas pipe at the property and about 30 homes were evacuated while repairs were carried out.
As police officers investigated the incident they discovered a cannabis grow. A 49-year-old man from Bacup has now been charged with producing cannabis and abstracting/using electricity without authority.
Police say an arson probe was launched but they no longer believe an arson offence has taken place.
AFIRE caused a suspected gas leak which forced about 30 homes to be evacuated.
Officers also discovered a cannabis grow at a property on Pembroke Street in Bacup, as they investigated the incident on Thursday, January 14.
Firefighters were called to the street to reports of a small fire at about 5.15pm.
The fire had caused damage to a gas pipe at the property.
About 30 homes were evacuated while repairs were carried out.
It has now been confirmed that a 49-year-old man from Bacup has been charged with producing cannabis and abstracting / using electricity without authority following the blaze.
Police say an arson probe was launched after the blaze but that they no longer believe an arson offence has taken place.
As they investigated, officers found a cannabis grow containing about 25 plants at the property.
Anyone with information is being asked to contact police.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Two fire engines from Bacup attended a fire on Pembroke Street in Bacup.
“Firefighters found a small rubbish fire outside a property which had spread to an external gas main. The fire had also spread to the guttering of an adjacent property.
“A number of properties were evacuated as a precaution while firefighters extinguished the fire and gas engineers were able to attend to make the scene safe.
“Firefighters used a hose reel and gas detectors at the incident and were in attendance around three hours and thirty minutes.”
A Lancashire Police spokesperson said: “We were called at around 5.15pm today (Thursday,
January 14) by the fire service to reports of a small fire at the rear of a property on Pembroke Street, Bacup.
“While emergency services were at the scene it was discovered the fire had caused damage to a gas pipe at the address and around 30 homes were evacuated from three streets in the area while the damage was repaired.
“Fortunately most of those have since been allowed to return home.
“A cannabis set-up, consisting of around 25 plants, was also found at the address and a scene will remain on overnight.
“Enquiries are ongoing into both the fire and the cannabis set-up and anybody with information about either is asked to get in touch 101, quoting 966 of January 14.”
David Williams, 49, of Pembroke Street, Bacup, was charged with producing cannabis and abstracting / using electricity without authority.