A Wallasey house in which an intense fire broke out earlier today has now been revealed as a base for a cannabis farm.

Fire crews were called at around 12.20pm to Penkett Road. At the height of the blaze three fire engines attended the scene along with an aerial appliance.

Five people were already out of the property when emergency services arrived and one was taken to hospital to be treated for burns. 

Fire station manager Brian Massie said tonight: “It is believed the fire started in a room containing cannabis plants.

"This was a severe fire and three rooms were severely damaged along with the floor above the rooms.

“An investigation into the cause is still underway.

"In the past at properties where cannabis farms have been found electricity meters have been tampered with - and this can be very dangerous.

"Cannabis farms can pose a great risk to members of the public and firefighters alike, and quite often they do not have working smoke alarms in the properties or any means of fire detection.

“As a result of tampering with the electricity supply and the wiring installation - often by self-taught ‘experts’ - the supply may not be properly earthed and the cabling not secured.

"This could cause metal items to become live, posing a risk of electrocution to members of the public and especialy firefighters who have the potential for getting tangled into cables in the heat and smoke.”

Merseyside Police inspector Paul Harrison said: "A joint fire and police investigation is underway and crime scene investigators will be carrying out forensic examinations at the scene.

“Cannabis cultivation by criminal gangs can cause serious harm in our communities.

"Criminal groups involved in the cultivation of cannabis are usually involved in other serious organised crime and they often rent residential properties such as this.

"The growing of cannabis also brings dangers to neighbouring properties.

"Cannabis farms are a serious fire risk."

He continued: "Those who set up these farms often tamper with the meters to steal electricity and there will generally be hot lamps hooked to overloaded electricity sockets and an extensive watering system.

"Electricity and water are never a good combination.

"The fire service has seen an increase in the number of fires they have been called to as a result of  the crude systems put in place by the people who set up these farms.

"Our communities can help us stop these groups who are only interested in making money from turning houses and flats into potential death-traps.

"Nobody wants to live next door to these houses and we would ask that if you believe someone is using a property in a street for this purpose please tell us so we can take positive action and find those responsible for setting them up."

Anyone who can help the inquiry should call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.