POLICE are again warning people of the dangers of cannabis factories following a fire at a property in Paggitt Street, Chatham.

Officers were called to the house shortly before 5am on Sunday.

Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent two pumps to the scene to extinguish the blaze. The damage was limited to one room.

Around 180 plants were growing at the house and these were seized by police. No arrests were made. This discovery brings the total number of cannabis factories uncovered in the Medway area since last October to 17.

It's second time in recent months that a fire has broken out at a cannabis factory in Medway and local people are being urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to police

Det Insp John Coull said: "When cannabis is grown in a house like this it is common for extra consumer units to be plugged into the electricity metre.

"This means that the electricity bypasses the metre and can be dangerous. The power needed to maintain a cannabis factory is extreme and much more electricity is needed than in a normal household.

"There are so many high powered lights and fans that sometimes overheating occurs and a fire begins. This poses a risk to both the house and neighbouring properties as the factories are often unmanned and therefore no one is present to extinguish a fire should one break out.

"It is important that any person who has suspicions about a neighbouring property informs the police as the sooner we can close these factories, the sooner we can eliminate the danger they pose.’

Police are asking Medway residents to be on the look-out for signs of possible illegal drugs activity.

These include:

* Windows permanently covered from the inside

* Visits to the addresses will not match normal residents’ patterns

* The offenders may call daily or weekly but only for short periods

* Removal of quantities of black bags Compost bags and other gardening equipment in the garden but near the back door

* A pungent smell emanating from the property Sometimes a vent protruding from the roof tiles will be visible

Anyone with information should contact Kent Police on telephone 01634 891055 or call Crimestoppers free and anonymously on telephone 0800 555 111.