Suspected cannabis farm fire leaves Sunderland house severely damaged

A Sunderland terrace home has been badly damaged after cannabis farm growing next door caught fire and set light to its roof.
By Fiona Thompson
Published 30th Dec 2020, 10:12 BST
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Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service was called to Toward Road in Hendon at 9.49pm yesterday, Tuesday, December 29, after the fire was spotted in the roof void between two properties in a mid-terrace.

Residents living close to the house were evacuated by the emergency services while the fire was brought under control by firefighters.

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Northumbria Police officers remained outside the front and back of the house this morning, with the cordon which had been up at the rear since taken down from the back lane.

Northumbria Police officers remained outside the house in the wake of the blaze.Northumbria Police officers remained outside the house in the wake of the blaze.
Northumbria Police officers remained outside the house in the wake of the blaze.
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The force has confirmed the fire was started due to a suspected cannabis farm, which sparked the blaze and spread to the roof of the neighbouring house.

The hunt is now on to trace those responsible for growing the drugs.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “Shortly before 9.49pm yesterday we received a report of a loft fire at a property on Toward Road in Sunderland.

Damage to the roof can be seen from the front of Toward Road.Damage to the roof can be seen from the front of Toward Road.
Damage to the roof can be seen from the front of Toward Road.
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“Emergency services attended the scene and found a fire had broken out in a neighbouring loft which housed a suspected cannabis farm.

“Thankfully nobody was injured in the fire but a number of neighbouring residents had to evacuate their homes.

“Inquiries are ongoing to trace the owner of the suspected cannabis farm.”

The blaze destroyed the roof of the house.The blaze destroyed the roof of the house.
The blaze destroyed the roof of the house.

The fire service sent one appliance from Sunderland Central Fire Station, another from Marley Park and two from Farringdon were sent, with an aerial ladder platform from Gateshead also drafted in to help.

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Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus tackled the blaze, with a jet from the platform and another used to put out the fire, which destroyed the roof and left the upper floor smoke damaged.

Three thermal imaging cameras were then used to ensure it was fully extinguished.

Anyone with information which could help the investigation into the cannabis farm and blaze is asked to contact Northumbria Police via the Tell Us Something page of its website or by calling 101 quoting log 964 291220.

The damage to the roof from the back of the property.The damage to the roof from the back of the property.
The damage to the roof from the back of the property.

Crimestoppers can also be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Related topics:Northumbria PoliceSunderlandTyne and Wear Fire and Rescue ServiceResidentsEmergency services