Hundreds of cannabis plants have gone up in flames in a factory fire in Melbourne's south-east overnight.
Police said emergency services were called to the factory on Rosalie Street, Springvale, about 11:30pm on Sunday after passers-by saw smoke coming from the building.
When firefighters forced their way into the factory they found a hydroponic set-up growing hundreds of semi-mature cannabis plants.
No one was in the factory at the time of the fire, which is thought to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Sergeant Luke Holmes of Victoria Police said an illegal power connection created challenges for fire crews.
"It certainly did present a danger initially to the CFA, but they were very skilled enough to get past that and extinguish the flames," he said.
Sergeant Holmes said the fire had caused significant damage to the building and there were concerns about its structural integrity.
Police have set up a crime scene at the factory.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
