Cannabis plants found at scene of Somerset fire
Fourteen fire engines were needed to put out the blaze at a former Natwest bank
It sounds like police have stumbled across a cannabis factory after a major fire in Somerset.
The former Natwest bank on Market Street in Crewkerne caught fire yesterday (22/02) - the blaze was so big 14 fire engines were needed to put it out.
The building has been derelict for some time and thankfully there were no reported injuries.
This morning the Devon and Somerset Fire Service confirmed the third floor and roof is 80 per cent damaged by fire and heat, while the rest of the building is 100 per cent damanged by smoke and it seems we could now have an idea of the cause.
Avon and Somerset Police say "suspected cannabis plants" have been found inside.
Yesterday's blaze was the third significant fire in Somerset in four days, though there is no suggestion the three cases are linked.
Last Thursday (18/02) a Bridgwater College building was gutted in a fire that started overnight and was later labelled as arson.
One man has been arrested in connection with that incident.
Then on Friday night (19/02) a barn in Taunton containing 300 tonnes of hay caught fire.
Six crews were needed to deal with that blaze, the cause of which has not been confirmed.