By Callum Wright
Illegal electrical alternations made to support a cannabis grow are thought to have started a house fire in Stapleford.
Emergency services where called to the address in Manor Avenue shortly after 7pm on Monday (November 25) after a fire was reported in a terraced property.
The fire, believed to be linked to dangerous alterations made to the electric system, was brought under control. Nobody was injured, although a number of houses were left without power for a few hours.
More than 80 cannabis plants have since been found across multiple rooms in the property, which have now been removed and all associated growing equipment put beyond use.
An investigation into who established the grow is now ongoing.
Sgt Simon Boyles, of Notts Police, said: “Cannabis grows of this nature pose a significant fire risk for various reasons – none more so than the illegal modifications that are routinely made in order to bypass electricity metres.
“The required lighting and hating equipment, meanwhile, generates a large amount of heat in an environment often piled high with fertilisers and other chemicals.
“That’s why it’s so important for neighbours to report their suspicions to us at an early stage, because fires like this could very quickly spread to adjoining properties.”
In a separate investigation, another cannabis grow was also shut down on Wollaton Drive, Lenton after more than 300 plants were found on a property following a police raid.
Police say they acted on information from members of the public before shutting the grow down, and City Central neighbourhood policing officers also arrested a 21-year-old man.
Insp Lis Gaskin, of the City Central neighbourhood policing team, said: “Cannabis grows of this nature can also pose a very significant fire risk to adjoining properties because of the amount of heat they generate and the sheer quantity of highly combustible materials within.
“As a team we will continue to keep up the pressure and disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute anyone involved in drug-related crime.
“We heavily rely on the information given to us by the public, so I’d encourage anyone with any concerns about drug use and supply in their area to please report it to us so that we can investigate and act.
Anyone with additional information about the Stapleford grow is asked to call 101 quoting incident 626 of 25 November 2024, and alternatively can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
