Men seen leaving house hours before fire leads to discovery of cannabis farm
Police have described two men seen leaving a house hours before a fire led to the discovery of a cannabis farm.
Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the blaze at the property in Coppice Road, Rugeley, just after 9am on Wednesday.
Firefighters from Cannock, Rugeley and Stafford used hose reel jets to safely extinguish the blaze by 10.15am and later found a cannabis grow inside.
The fire service has launched an investigation into the cause of the blaze, while Staffordshire Police is also appealing for information, issuing descriptions of two men seen leaving the address in the early hours of the morning.
A police spokesman said: "We are appealing for information after officers found a cannabis grow following a house fire.
"Colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service notified us of a house fire at 9.30am this morning in Rugeley.
"The blaze was extinguished by 10.15am and a cannabis grow was later discovered inside.
"Officers are in the area this afternoon and have launched an investigation.
"Two men were seen leaving the address at 2am this morning, before heading in the direction of Queensway by foot.
"One of the men is described as having a clean shaven head, around 6ft 2ins tall and in his mid-40s.
"The other man is described as having dark-coloured short hair, of a slim build and 5ft 10ins tall."
A spokesman for Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service added: "We have uncovered a cannabis grow after extinguishing a house fire in Rugeley today.
"Firefighters from Cannock, Rugeley and Stafford were called to an address in Rugeley just after 9am following reports of smoke coming from a house.
"Crews used hose reel jets to safely extinguish the blaze by 10.15am and later found a cannabis grow inside.
"Firefighters remain at the scene this afternoon alongside colleagues from Staffordshire Police.
"An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing."
Anyone with information is asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident 121 of August 23, or message the police force using live chat at staffordshire.police.uk
To report anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
