Firefighters find cannabis plants after blaze at factory

Firefighters tackling a blaze at a disused factory found cannabis plants worth up to half a million pounds.

Police were called to the two-storey building in Brazil Street, off Aylestone Road, in Leicester, following the find.

Two fire crews from Central station had gone to the building shortly after 5.30am on Thursday after receiving reports an entrance door was on fire.

Once inside, they found several seats of fire, thought to have been caused by hydroponic lighting, used to grow the plants, having short circuited.

The firefighters called for reinforcements from the city's Western station. The fires were out by 7am.

Police sealed off the road between Burnmoor Street and Newbridge Street while officers arrived to take 1,000 cannabis plants away to be destroyed.

A business owner in the area, who asked not to be named, said: "When I came to work at about 6.15am there were three fire engines and a police car blocking the top of the street.

"More police came later and taped off both sides of the road. I drive past the building two or three times a day and never notice anyone going in or out."

A resident, who has lived in the area for 18 years, said: "I didn't expect anything like this. I'm surprised to hear it. I haven't noticed anything suspicious going on."

Another resident said:"I walk past the building regularly, but I couldn't smell anything."

Another, who also asked not to be named, said: "It makes you wonder, this is normally such a quiet part of the city, but I suppose you just never know."

Kash Jethwa, who runs Ray London garment manufacturers in Newbridge Street, said: "The building has been empty for about five years, it's a busy area for people coming and going, but there was nothing to catch your eye."

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called by the fire service at 5.40am. The road was closed but no evacuation was necessary as the buildings in the immediate area are commercial premises.

"Once inside, officers discovered 1,000 cannabis plants which have been taken away and will be destroyed.

"No arrests have been made.

"It is a large, empty factory. We are trying to make contact with the owner who is abroad. It's believed electrics used to grow the plants had blown."