Cannabis plants found inside property after severe fire in Smethwick
Police discovered 30 cannabis plants inside a house where firefighters rescued 15 dogs and 11 cats from a severe fire.
The animals were rescued from inside a three-storey mid-terraced house in Smethwick, where the fire started on the first floor. West Midlands Fire Service was called to the scene in Gilbert Road, Bearwood, at around 12.30am on Thursday.
West Midlands Police later discovered around 30 cannabis plants at the property and a man connected to the address is to be interviewed in due course.
Thirty-five firefighters attended the fire at its height, along with six fire engines and a hydraulic platform. Two houses sustained 60 per cent damage from the fire.
The fire service spokesman said: “Our first crews arrived within four minutes.
“Firefighters used breathing apparatus, hose reels and three main jets during the operation.
“The fire started on the first floor of a three-storey, mid-terraced house, from which we rescued 15 dogs and 11 cats.
“Two houses suffered 60 per cent fire damage and were totally smoke logged.
“At the height of the incident, six fire engines, an aerial platform and around 35 personnel were there. We also deployed one of its drones to help tackle the blaze.
“At 9am, two fire engines and ten firefighters were continuing to damp down at the scene.”
A West Midlands Police spokesman said: "We were alerted to around 30 cannabis plants being discovered following a fire at a property in Gilbert Road, Smethwick, at around 1.30am on Thursday, June 10.
"A man connected to the address is to be interviewed in due course."
