A SENIOR Kent Police officer has issued a warning about fire risks posed by cannabis factories.

It follows a blaze at a house in Corporation Road, Gillingham. Officers were called there at around 4.10pm on Tuesday.

Police spokeswoman Sally Smith said: "The fire appears to have started around a bypassed electrical meter. Though damage was caused no one was reported to have been injured and Kent Fire and Rescue Service promptly extinguished the fire."

In total police seized 376 plants from the house. It is believed the plants have a combined value of around £94,000.

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

"This means that the electricity bypasses the meter 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 residents to be on the look-out for signs of possible illegal drugs activity, which include:

* Windows will be permanently covered from the inside

* Visits to the addresses will not match normal residents patterns

*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

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

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