Bags of suspected cannabis were removed from a flat in Porter Square, off Hornsey Road

NEIGHBOURS have spoken of their shock after a suspected cannabis farm was uncovered in an Upper Holloway flat following a fire on Sunday.

The fire brigade were first called to the flat in Porter Square, off Hornsey Road, just after 9pm after reports of a fire, which neighbours initially thought was smoke from a barbecue.

One neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “There wasn’t a fire, just smoke, billowing out from the back of the house.”

Before the fire brigade arrived, two people from the square, along with someone from the council, broke down the door to the four-roomed flat with crowbars thinking people were in there, she added. Another neighbour, who saw the inside of the flat, described it as a “drug heaven” with three rooms full of cannabis plants. She added that there was no one in the property at the time of the fire and said she suspected the cause was electrical.

Police officers removed what was described as “bags and bags” of suspected cannabis from the property on Tuesday afternoon. A police car remained outside the property for two days.

“I was a bit surprised, my mum was in shock. The whole square was out looking,” the neighbour added.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters fought the blaze for just over an hour-and-a-half. One man was treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and taken to hospital by an ambulance.

Half of the building’s roof was also affected by the blaze.

The fire was brought under control by 10.41pm. Crews from Kentish Town and Hornsey fire stations attended. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

The Met are investigating but have so far been unable to confirm whether there have been any arrests.