Two men have been arrested after a fire started in an alleged cannabis farm in Wimbledon.

Police and fire crews were called to a fire at a property on Wimbledon Hill Road yesterday June 5, where they discovered a cannabis farm.

London Fire Brigade confirmed that the blaze had caused damage to the basement and ground floor of a shop with flats above at 5.22pm.

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters attended the scene from stations in Wimbledon, New Malden, Mitcham, and Wandsworth.

Firefighters were able to rescue one man from the building using one of the Brigade's turntable ladders, and there were no reported injuries.

During the incident, two males were seen on the roof of the property.

Officers from Merton Police were able to obtain help from the London Fire Brigade and used a height vehicle to allow PC O'Neil and PC Bravo to access the roof.

One suspect was arrested and taken back to ground level.

The second suspect was later found hiding in an electrical box in a nearby property.

Both were arrested on suspicion of arson and cultivating cannabis.

Road closures caused a significant amount of traffic in the area during the incident and the blaze was brought under control by 9.19pm, with crews staying on scene overnight to ensure that there were no remaining hotspots.

"Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing" according to London Fire Brigade.

A spokesperson for Merton Police said: "You might have seen a horse fly, maybe even a superfly, but we bet you aint ever seen a Merton police officer fly (or be lifted by a cradle).

"Yesterday our PC's had a first when called to a fire on Wimbledon Hill road. Our partners at London Fire Brigade confirmed that the property was a cannabis farm. We do not like cannabis farms.

"Two males were spotted on the roof of the property, time to improvise...

"Officers spoke to LFB, who kindly allowed the officers to use their 'height vehicle'.

"PC O'Neil and PC Bravo bravely attached themselves to the cradle and were taken up to the roof, where one suspect was arrested and taken back down to the ground level.

"The second male was seen running down the stairs and found hiding in an electrical box in a property nearby.

"Both suspects were arrested for arson and cultivating cannabis."

A spokesperson for London Fire Brigade said: “Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters tackled a fire at a shop with flats above on Wimbledon Hill Road in Wimbledon.

“Part of the basement and ground floor were damaged by fire. Firefighters rescued a man from the building using one of the Brigade’s 32-metre turntable ladders. There were no reports of any injuries.

“The Brigade was called at 5.22pm and the fire was under control by 9.19pm. Fire crews from Wimbledon, New Malden, Mitcham, Wandsworth and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Station Commander Stephen McGhie said: “On arrival, crews faced a developed fire in the basement and on the ground floor.

“There were road closures in place which caused a significant amount of traffic in the local area.

“Crews remained on scene throughout the night to ensure all hotspots were identified and extinguished.”