23 February 2010
By Becky Inman
News reporter
A house used as a cannabis factory has been destroyed in a huge blaze.
Fire crews had to rip a hole in the roof to bring the fire at the semi-detached property in Wharfedale Road, Corby, under control. The blaze was so fierce they were unable to tackle it through the windows.
Neighbours said flames could be seen pouring from the building as plumes of smoke rolled across the tiled roof of the house and the adjoining property.
One neighbour said: "My son came in and said that next door's house was on fire and I didn't believe him.
"I had to go upstairs and check for myself and saw the smoke pouring out."
It is not thought anyone was in the house when the fire broke out just before 3.30pm yesterday, but someone was in the adjoining house, where it is feared the fire had spread through the roof.
Five fire engines were called to the blaze which took several hours to bring under control.
A fire service spokesman said the fire "completely engulfed" the house.
Police said it was too early to know whether the fire was started deliberately. They said they would have to wait for results from the fire investigation unit, who would be at the house this morning.
The house was raided by police on Sunday, February 7, who found 400 cannabis plants inside.
The drugs factory was discovered by officers after a neighbour tipped off officers about suspicious activity at the three-bedroom home.
Residents said they had seen police get out of riot vans and burst into the house before removing plants and drug cultivating equipment.
A Vietnamese man aged 26 was arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis.
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