Police have confirmed that a cannabis factory was discovered at the scene of a house fire in Bessbrook, as enquiries into the incident continue.
Emergency services were called to a blaze at a property in the Thomas Street area at around 4.25pm on Sunday, January 18. Police officers attended alongside colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire.
Inspector Walker said that during the response, firefighters alerted police to the presence of a substantial quantity of cannabis and associated paraphernalia inside the property.
Inspector Walker said: “We received a report at around 4.25pm on Sunday, 18th January of a house on fire in the Thomas Street area of Bessbrook.
“Officers attended the scene, along with colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, who extinguished the fire and advised police there was a substantial amount of cannabis and associated paraphernalia within the property.
“Thankfully, there was no one in the house at the time and no injuries were reported. I would like to reassure the local community once again that there was no ongoing risk to the public from the fire and that the scene was subsequently made safe.
“The fire is not being treated as suspicious at this stage and our enquiries are ongoing.
“Targeting the supply of drugs is a priority for the Police Service of Northern Ireland and we would appeal to anyone who has any information which could be of assistance to contact our non-emergency number on 101, quoting reference number 870 of 18/01/25.”
Alternatively, you can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/
