More than 200 cannabis plants have been seized by police after a chance discovery prompted by a blaze at a Walsall house.

Firefighters stumbled across the haul when neighbours spotted smoke coming from the house.

Fire broke out at the rented house in Hart Street, Caldmore, at 10.30pm yesterday. Police and firefighters were alerted and found 211 cannabis plants scattered across its two floors.

The outbreak is believed to have been sparked by an electrical fault. Power had been bypassed in order to cut cultivation costs.

Damage was restricted to one upstairs bedroom although plants were split between three rooms with equipment including lamps and bags of fertiliser.

Sgt Steve Davis, from Walsall police, said some of the plants were of a decent size and although no street value could be given at this stage, it would be a considerable sum.

He said: “It looks like this has been set up for some time and is a good result for us.

“We have got an idea there are a few more in the area and believe there is a network operating. Police are actively seeking these other houses.”

He added no-one has been arrested but further investigations were being carried out to trace owners of the rented accommodation.