Springvale factory crop house busted as it goes up in flames

A FACTORY crop house in Springvale has been busted by police after it went up in flames last night.

A SECRET Springvale crop house has been discovered by police after it went up in flames last night.

A passer-by saw smoke coming from the Rosalie Street factory about 11.30pm.

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CFA firefighters forced their way into the factory where they located an extensive hydroponic set up containing hundreds of semi-mature cannabis plants.

No one was in the factory at the time.

The fire is thought to have been sparked by an electrical fault.

Firefighters inspect the roof. Photo: Patrick Herve

Detectives look through the front of the warehouse. Photo: Patrick Herve

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said police are trying to track down those in charge of the grow house.

“The fire seems to have started from an overloaded power supply,” said the spokeswoman.

“Police are going through records now to see who was leasing or owns the building.”

A crime-scene guards remains posted outside the factory.

The crop bust comes as the Herald Sun today revealed organised crime gangs were paying foreign students to babysit indoor setups which fuel Victoria’s $8 billion illegal cannabis trade.

A large number of visitors on student visas — mostly from Vietnam — have been sprung ‘crop-sitting’.

At least 22 students and ex-students faced court last year in connection to almost $2000kg of cannabis.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

@AneekaSimonis