Key Points:
- A fire broke out at a terraced house on Comyns Road, Dagenham, on 25 May 2025.
- London Fire Brigade (LFB) deployed 25 firefighters and four engines to control the blaze.
- Most of the ground floor and a small part of the first floor were damaged.
- Cannabis plants were discovered inside the property.
- The cause of the fire is officially “undetermined.”
- Metropolitan Police were called and are investigating the case.
- No arrests have been made and no injuries were reported.
- Owners of the property have not yet been identified.
- News originally reported by Ben Gardner, Breaking News Reporter, Romford Recorder.
A terraced house on Comyns Road in Dagenham caught fire on the evening of 25 May, leading to the discovery of cannabis plants inside the property. London Fire Brigade responded with four engines and 25 firefighters, bringing the blaze under control within 90 minutes. The Metropolitan Police are investigating, though no arrests have been made and the owners have not been traced. The cause of the fire is listed as “undetermined.”
What happened during the Comyns Road house fire in Dagenham?
According to Ben Gardner of the Romford Recorder, the fire erupted at approximately 5.15pm on 25 May. The property, located on Comyns Road, was significantly damaged—particularly the ground floor and part of the first floor.
Aerial images provided by Yedis Drone Shots show the scale of the damage. The fire was declared under control by 6.41pm, just under an hour and a half after the initial emergency call.
How did emergency services respond?
A London Fire Brigade (LFB) spokesperson stated:
“Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters tackled a fire at a terraced house on Comyns Road in Dagenham. Most of the ground floor and a small part of the first floor were damaged by the fire. There were no reports of any injuries. Control Officers took the first of four calls at 17:13 and mobilised crews from Dagenham, Barking, and Greenwich fire stations to the scene. The incident was over for firefighters at 18:41.”
The LFB confirmed that the cause of the fire has been recorded as ‘undetermined’, pending further investigation.
Were cannabis plants found at the scene?
Yes. As reported by Ben Gardner of the Romford Recorder, firefighters alerted the Metropolitan Police once cannabis plants were discovered inside the property.
A spokesperson for the Met stated:
“On Sunday, 25 May at 17:27hrs the Met was alerted by the London Fire Brigade to a fire on Comyns Road, Dagenham. After the fire was contained, officers seized a number of cannabis plants. There were no reports of any injuries. No arrests have been made at this stage. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 5567/25MAY.”
Have the property owners been identified?
No. According to the report by Ben Gardner of the Romford Recorder, the owners of the property have not yet been traced, and the police are continuing efforts to identify those responsible for the cultivation.
What is the broader context of cannabis-linked incidents in East London?
The Comyns Road fire is part of a wider pattern of cannabis-related incidents in East London. In the days prior to this fire, police uncovered illegal drug farms and cultivation operations across Dagenham and Barking. These have often involved dangerous electrical setups that can cause fires.
Recent examples include:
- 20 May 2025: A cannabis farm was discovered in Burnside Road, Dagenham, during a police raid.
- 15 May 2025: Over £1 million worth of cannabis was seized from a factory in Barking.
These incidents reflect growing concern among authorities about the safety risks and criminal networks involved in such illegal operations.
What are authorities urging the public to do?
Authorities continue to urge residents to report suspicious activity—such as covered windows, a persistent cannabis smell, or constant electrical noise. The Metropolitan Police have reinforced that intelligence from the public is critical in identifying illegal drug operations.
Residents with information regarding the Comyns Road incident are asked to contact police at 101, quoting CAD 5567/25MAY.
