Crews sent to tackle house fire find cannabis farm with 20 plants

Electrician believes overloaded power extensions responsible for fire in cannabis farm

Firefighters called to a blaze in a Kinross-shire house got more than they bargained for when they found a cannabis farm with plants worth almost £11,000.

Perth Sheriff Court heard the fire was likely caused by an overload in electric equipment serving the 20-plant cannabis “cultivation”.

The firefighters encountered Sean Joyce, 47, of Whyte Place, Milnathort, when he was returning home and asked him if he lived at the council property in the cul-de-sac.

He told them he lived there alone. Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said: “Fire crew from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended at the fire in the property around 7.39pm and found 20 cannabis plants.

“They notified police who established there was a cannabis cultivation in an upstairs bedroom.

“Police officers found transformers, heat lights and insulation equipment.”

Mr Kermode said an engineer from Scottish Southern Energy was called out to look into the matter and he told police he thought the fire had been caused by the cannabis cultivation, deeming it a “fire hazard.”

“The engineer felt there had been an electrical overload caused by power extensions and felt the cannabis cultivation caused the fire at the property,” Mr Kermode added.

“Police estimated that the cannabis could yield around £10,800 if sold at £180 per ounce.”

Solicitor Paul Ralph, defending, said his client had “hopefully” learnt his lesson.

He added that Joyce had moved address to care for his mother.

Joyce admitted that on March 8 at a property in Bowton Road, Kinross, he produced cannabis – a class B drug.

Sentencing Joyce, Sheriff Gillian Wade told him: “This is a serious matter, particularly the fact that this cannabis cultivation was the reason for the fire at this council house.

“However, I appreciate the situation you are in whereby you are looking after your mother and will impose a noncustodial sentence.”

Joyce was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work in the community.

This is a serious matter, particularly the fact that this cannabis cultivation was the reason for the fire at this council house. SHERIFF GILLIAN WADE

Sean Joyce had been cultivating cannabis in his home when the fire broke out.