Cannabis factory explodes in London.

**Type M** · 24-01-17, 11:52 AM

there's been a Massive explosion in block of flats in Hornchurch after a cannabis factory catches fire. Allegedly some gas cannisters exploded. Sounds like a possible sealed room with Co2 gone wrong. Someones in the shit

**Type M** · 24-01-17, 11:58 AM

A massive explosion that ripped apart a block of flats was allegedly caused by a CANNABIS FACTORY that caught fire, a neighbour has claimed.

Police, fire crews and paramedics are still on the scene in Hornchurch, east London dealing with a blaze resulting from a massive blast that sent debris flying onto nearby roads.

So far, at least five people have been hurt in the explosion but one neighbour, who asked not to be identified, claims the blast might have happened due to a cannabis factory catching fire.

Speaking to Essex Live, the neighbour claimed: "Allegedly there was a cannabis factory. One chap had two gas canisters that somehow caught fire.

"The fire brigade were called and in ten minutes there were loads here. It looks like he lost control of it.

"The window frames were blown 70 feet."

The Metropolitan Police told Mirror Online it was "too early to speculate" on a cause of the fire, when asked about the claims.

One eyewitness Jason Smedley said on social media how he felt his office shake during the explosion and thought 'a lorry had driven into our building'.

He posted on Facebook: "Carnage!! Never witnessed anything like that before. We all heard a massive explosion.. ran round to see the front of the house across the a127!

"Pray that no one was in the flats. Stomach churning!!"

He later told the Daily Mail: "Originally we thought maybe a car had driven into the flats but now we think it must have been a gas leak.

"We were just trying to pull people back from the building to keep them safe. There were people screaming and crying everywhere."

Stunned neighbours reported seeing debris scattered across nearby roads in the aftermath of the massive blast.

It is not yet clear what caused the explosion, but investigators are now on the scene and dozens of people have been evacuated from the area.

According to Essex Live, specialist firefighters along with a London Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team have been brought in to deal with the incident.

The blast is thought to have happened in a block of flats in Ardleigh Green Road just after 5pm this afternoon.

Startling photos showing people covered in reflective ambulance blankets and others standing around bemused revealed the scope of the blast.

Massive tailbacks are taking place on surrounding roads, including the A127 - which is also said to have bit hit with debris.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 17:14hrs on Monday, 23 January to reports of an explosion at a block of flats in Ardleigh Green Road. Hornchurch.

"Officers, the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service are currently at the scene.

"At this early stage officers are unable to confirm the cause of the explosion but enquires are underway.

"London Fire Brigade are also on scene.

"Residents are in the process of being evacuated from the building. The Local Authority has been informed and also on scene.

"Local road closures are in place. Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area."

A London Ambulance spokesperson said: A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “We were called just before 5.15pm to reports of an incident at Southend Arterial Road, Hornchurch.