Marijuana plants uncovered after Dandenong South warehouse fire

Rescuers who battled a fire at a Dandenong South warehouse discovered dozens of cannabis plants during a search.

A cannabis crop was reportedly found after fire crews fought a blaze in South Dandenong. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

A cannabis crop house, located next door to a brothel, was uncovered in Melbourne’s southeast on Sunday after it went up in flames.

Firefighters were called to the factory fire in Dandenong South about 7.35am following calls to triple-0 reporting smoke in the area.

The fire was quickly brought under control but a subsequent search of the property uncovered around 100 cannabis plants.

If mature, they have a potential street value of more than $200,000.

The Herald Sun understands the plants are located at the back of the factory and could not be spotted by the burnt front roller door.

However, hydroponics equipment could be spotted inside the property.

The carpark is cordoned off as police investigate. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The fire was quickly brought under control but a subsequent search of the property uncovered around 100 cannabis plants. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The factory is one of more than a dozen located in an industrial park on Rhur St, situated next door to local brothel Moonclub.

Firefighters were forced to tear down the brothel’s front gate to tackle the flames from the back of the factory.

No one was injured in the blaze.

A warning was issued to nearby residents in Dandenong South, Doveton and Keysborough that they may see smoke in the area.

Business owners visited their factories on Sunday to assess whether their properties had been damaged by flames.

The gutted factory is one of the only located in the industrial park to not be associated with a business.

The factory is one of more than a dozen located in an industrial park on Rhur St, South Dandenong. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Fire Rescue Victoria and Victoria Police were also on scene on Sunday investigating the cause of the blaze.

The Herald Sun understands that officers will seize the cannabis plants on Monday after obtaining a warrant and ensuring the building is structurally sound.

It comes after police smashed a crop house in Croydon East on Friday, allegedly seizing an estimated $750,000 of cannabis and arresting a housesitter.

More than 300 mature plants were allegedly spread across four bedrooms and a lounge area.

A 46-year-old Springvale man was spotted trying to escape out the back door of the home when police arrived on Friday night.

He has been charged with allegedly cultivating and trafficking a commercial quantity of cannabis, and remanded to face court on Monday.