A fire which ripped through a former cannabis farm is being treated as arson, police have confirmed.
A detached house caught fire on Hale Road, Speke, at around 9.55pm on Monday, October 10. Crews from Widnes, Runcorn and Speke fought the blaze through the night after arriving at the scene and finding the property well alight.
At 11.20pm, a spokesperson for Cheshire fire service said a portable pump was used to get water to the fire from a nearby swimming pool. An aerial appliance was also used to get water to the roof, where the fire was described as "well developed."
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Hale Road was closed in both directions between Eastern Avenue and Ramsbrook Lane while emergency services dealt with the fire. Cheshire Police have now confirmed the fire is being treated as deliberate, with Detective Constable Rich Gray, of Widnes CID adding they were aware the address has "attracted a lot of attention".
He said: “We are aware that this address has attracted a lot of attention recently following the discovery of a cannabis farm in the property in September. A man was subsequently arrested in relation to the discovery, and he has since been passed to another force.
“We are currently in the early stages of this investigation and at this time, we believe that this fire has been started deliberately. Officers believe that the property was unoccupied at the time of the blaze and no injuries have been reported to us.
“As part of our investigation we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the Hale Road area between 6.30pm and 10pm and believes that they may have witnessed anything suspicious. The same goes for anyone with any video footage which may be relevant to the investigation.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/about-us/about-us/provide-more-information-about-an-appeal/, or on 101, quoting incident number 1385862.
Information can also be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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