FIREFIGHTERS unearthed a small cannabis factory in Trowbridge this morning after attending a house fire.

It is understood the electrics powering the cannabis lamps in the property in Seymour Road overheated causing the fire which resulted in severe damage being caused to two upstairs rooms.

Trowbridge Fire Station manager Damien Bence said: “The call was initially made as a house fire.

“The crews turned up and found the fire upstairs involving electrics. It was quite a severe fire which is seriously damaged the upstairs space.

“The dangers of such activity is that people bypass electric connections.”

Two crews from Trowbridge and one from Melksham attended the scene just after 7.30am this morning.

The house occupant was not in the house at the time of the fire and police are now investigating after around 30 plants were discovered.

Mr Bence added: “If the homeowner was in there, he wouldn’t have survived but because the curtains were drawn and a vehicle still outside it looks like the person has legged it.

“The trouble with places like this is that it could be booby trapped but we have training to look for signs.

“There could be spikes in the windows to prevent entry or the door handle could be wired up to the electrics.

“We don't know what we are going into when entering a property and in this case there were no external signs to suggest otherwise.”

Sgt David Cooper from Wiltshire Police added: “Our investigation is still ongoing and we are working to identify any potential suspects.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people of the dangers of this type of crime, where people cultivate cannabis.

“There is a huge fire hazard, as is obvious from this incident, because the electricity supply had been by-passing the meter. Not only is this dangerous for those living in this property, but also for neighbouring residents.

“We were lucky that this fire did not turn out to be more serious.”