Firefighters tackle suspected cannabis factory blaze at Walthamstow house
The cause of this morning's fire is under investigation
Firefighters are investigating the cause of a suspected cannabis factory fire, at a house in Walthamstow.
Crews and twelve engines were called to Knebworth Avenue just before 3am this morning, where most of the ground floor, half of the first floor, and half of the roof have been destroyed by the fire.
The blaze at the mid-terraced two-storey house was under control just after 5am.
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.
"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."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Crews from Walthamstow, Chingford, Woodford, Leyton, Tottenham, Edmonton, Homerton, Stratford, Enfield and Holloway fire stations attended the scene.