A suspected cannabis factory was discovered by firefighters tackling a blaze in a popular London dining street.
Flames engulfed a shop with flats above it in York Street, Twickenham on Sunday morning.
Dozens of firefighters were called to tackle the blaze, which happened just a few hundred metres from where a ‘60s Day event was taking place.
It forced the road to be cordoned off just before 11am.
A Met Police spokesman confirmed that while "searching the scene for potential victims, London Fire Brigade officers discovered several cannabis plants in the same building".
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters from Twickenham, Richmond, Heston and surrounding stations were mobilised.
The cause is believed to have been accidental, originating in the building’s ducting system.
Investigations suggest that the cannabis factory was not linked to the blaze starting, but London Fire Brigade stressed that fires related to drug farms "can be particularly dangerous because of the way criminals use unsafe wiring to illegally obtain electricity in order to grow the plants".
A spokesman added: "They're often in top floors or lofts which means when a fire takes hold it spreads, destroying roofs and damaging neighbouring buildings," a spokesman added.
"Firefighters can also be exposed to risks when dealing with the fires because of bad wiring and traps at some of the properties.
"It's important that people know the key signs and inform the police so that they can act swiftly to prevent this type of dangerous fire happening."
York Street is home to several local eateries and pubs, as well as popular restaurant chains.
A local resident told The Standard: “The smell of the smoke and fumes from the fire was pretty powerful.”
No arrests have been made, and police investigations are ongoing.
Anyone with information was urged to call 101, quoting reference: CAD 2749/17Aug.
