PROBE AFTER FIRE AT WEED SITE
AN investigation is under way after a blaze outside the site of a former cannabis farm in Runcorn.
Cheshire Fire And Rescue Service said the incident, in the rear yard at Camden Buildings on High Street in the town centre, was reported at 4.50am on Sunday, July 26.
One appliance from Runcorn attended the scene.
A statement on the fire service website said the crew found a ‘large skip’, ‘well alight’.
Firefighters used two hose reel jets to extinguish the flames, drawing water from the Bridgewater Canal to assist.
A bulletin on the fire service website said checks took place to monitor for signs of spread or damage. The crew was at the scene for around 90 minutes.
When the Weekly News visited the scene, a large number of large plant pots were present along with what appeared to be reflective ventilation tunnels and alongside a large mass of charred debris.
The Weekly News has also seen a picture of items piled up behind the building, reported to have been taken last Wednesday before the blaze.
Police and fire service have not confirmed whether the gardening equipment is linked to the large cannabis farm found spanning four-floors of a vacant unit in June last year, but the pots and tubing match the appearance.
An investigation is under way.
A Cheshire police spokeswoman said: “At around 4.50am on Sunday, July 26, officers were made aware of a fire involving a skip off High Street, Runcorn.
“It is believed that this fire had been started deliberately.
“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Cheshire police on 101 quoting IML 763995.”
A Halton Borough Council spokeswoman said: “We are making enquiries with the police and fire about how to bring about an improvement to the site.”