North Shields business says fire at suspected cannabis farm 'has affected everyone'
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveA business owner on Nile Street in North Shields says a fire at a suspected cannabis farm has affected everyone on the street just weeks before Christmas.
ChronicleLive visited Nile Street on Wednesday afternoon where "New Store" had been gutted by the fire. Inside the building, there were debris everywhere and what appeared to be cannabis plants were visible through the smashed windows and missing front door.
Green and blue marijuana stickers were stuck on a pipe attached to the gutter of the now roofless building, while a strong smell of the Class B drug lingered in the air. The road remained closed and cordoned off by police, while people continued to go about their business at the local post office.
However, most businesses on Nile Street had closed for the day, missing out on crucial trade with less than a month to go until Christmas. One passerby said: "You could see it blazing away, it was horrendous like."
Another resident of the nearby Tynemouth Road area said that he was surprised to see the building in such a state. He told ChronicleLive: "I used to get my hair cut at the barbers' next door (now a tattoo studio).
"I smelled smoke when the fire was happening. I've not seen such a big fire in North Shields since the one on Tanners' Bank a couple of years ago."
A third resident said: "There are some strange things going on in North Shields. You can't trust anyone these days, it's such a shame."
Chrissy West, who works at Pansy's Florist, said that she didn't sleep on Monday night for fear that her business had been damaged in the fire. Chrissy told ChronicleLive: "We had 100 messages on our phones and on Facebook.
"I rushed down but understandably couldn't get close, so we didn't know if the fire had affected us. It's our whole livelihood, it's terrifying."
"I'm so relieved it hasn't damaged our building, as you would be, but my heart goes out the people who have lost everything. It's humbling to realise how easy something like this could happen and how scary it is."
Some of the messages that the pair received implied that the site affected by the fire was known locally to be a cannabis farm. There was reported to be a strong smell of cannabis when the fire was burning overnight on Monday into Tuesday.
Luckily for Chrissy and husband Dean, who owns the business, their shop did not suffer any damage at all - unlike some others on the street. However, they are concerned about the lasting effect of the fire.
Chrissy continued: "It's affected the whole street, it's a massive interruption. Christmas time is hard enough for struggling small businesses."
Dean added: "They're going to have to demolish the building now and it'll end up being a building site. It's going to affect the street for a long time."
Northumbria Police have confirmed that a number of suspected cannabis plants have been found. An investigation has been launched into the cause of the fire, which remains ongoing.
A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said: "Shortly after 8pm on Monday (November 25), we were alerted by Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service to a fire at a property on Nile Street in North Shields. Enquiries into the cause of the fire remains ongoing.
"Officers remain at the scene to carry out enquiries at the property where a number of suspected cannabis plants have been found. Anyone with information is asked to get in touch by sending us a direct message on social media, or using live chat and report forms on our website.
"Those unable to make contact in these ways can call 101. Please quote reference number: NP-20241125-0996."
A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We can confirm that one appliance was on scene yesterday morning to dampen down the area following the recent building fire in North Shields. The Service handed over the incident to our colleagues at Northumbria Police at 11.49am on Tuesday morning (November 26)."
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