Police suspect cannabis farm caused fire to homes

The fire spread to three neighbouring properties

Cannabis was found after a fire damaged four houses on a street in Leicester.

Emergency services were called after a fire broke out across the roof space of four houses in Stuart Street, Westcotes, at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.

Narborough Road was closed for about five hours while 18 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.

Crews left the scene at about 09:00 on Wednesday, with Leicestershire Police now investigating.

The fire service said an aerial ladder platform was deployed to reach unsafe areas and said it was supported by police, the ambulance service, Leicester City Council and the Red Cross to resolve the incident and to assist affected residents.

Eight fire appliances were sent to the scene to bring the fire under control

Police said the fire had left four houses with "extensive damage" but no injuries were reported and all properties were safely evacuated.

A police spokesperson said: "From initial inquiries carried out, the fire is suspected to have resulted after cannabis was being cultivated in the loft space of one of the properties."

The force added a cordon remained in place around the scene and there had been no arrests.

Narborough Road was shut while the firefighting operation was carried out on Tuesday afternoon