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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Michael Howie

Walthamstow fire: Blaze rips through cannabis factory in house in north-east London

More than 70 firefighters fought a fire that ripped through a London house suspected of being used as a cannabis factory.

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called to the mid-terraced property in Walthamstow shortly after 2am on Friday, according to the London Fire Brigade.

Most of the ground floor, half of the home's first floor and the roof of the two-storey house in Knebworth Avenue were destroyed by the blaze.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

A brigade spokesperson said: "Cannabis factory fires can be particularly dangerous because of the way criminals use unsafe wiring to illegally obtain electricity in order to grow the plants.

Twelve fire engines and around 80 firefighters were called to the mid-terraced property (London Fire Brigade)

"They're often in top floors or lofts which means when a fire takes hold it spreads, destroying roofs and damaging neighbouring buildings.

"Firefighters can also be exposed to risks when dealing with the fires because of bad wiring and traps at some of the properties."

Control officers received calls just before 3am and the brigade said the fire was under control just before 5am.

Crews from Walthamstow, Chingford, Woodford, Leyton, Tottenham, Edmonton, Homerton, Stratford, Enfield and Holloway fire stations attended the scene.

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