200 cannabis plants seized in Walsall house after serious fire
Around 200 cannabis plants were recovered at a house which was severely damaged by a fire.
A blaze ripped through the property in Walsall, which was being used to grow cannabis plants, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
A statement from West Midlands Police said: "We assisted West Midlands Fire Service following a fire at a property on Delves Green Road in Walsall around 4.30am.
"Officers recovered approximately 200 cannabis plants, no arrests have been made at this stage and enquiries continue.
"We remain committed to removing drugs - and suppliers - from our streets. Anyone who suspects drugs are being cultivated in their community is urged to contact us via the Live Chat service on our website https://west-midlands.police.uk."
Firefighters were called to the property on Delves Green Road at 4.25am on Wednesday.
The blaze damaged around half of the ground floor and the entire property was affected by smoke.
The road was closed as a safety precaution during the firefighting operation and residents were without power while an electricity company had to isolate the supply to the house there the fire had broke out.
Residents in the area were left without power as the electricity supply to the house was isolated and the road was closed as a safety precaution during the incident.
A spokesman for West Midlands Fire Service said: "A fire broke out in a Walsall house being used to grow cannabis.
"Crews wore breathing apparatus and used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.
"It damaged around half of the ground floor and the entire property was affected by smoke.
"A man and a woman evacuated a neighbouring house after it filled with smoke. They were checked over by the ambulance service but, fortunately, did not need to go to hospital.
