Arson arrest and cannabis grow found as police issue major Burslem blaze update
Police have confirmed the remains of a cannabis factory were found at a fire-hit Burslem building - which saw roads shut along with homes and businesses evacuated. Detectives brought in over the Waterloo Road fire have made an arson arrest as a probe into the huge blaze continues.
Emergency services - which included seven fire engines, scores of police officers, paramedics, and the air ambulance - were scrambled to the scene just after 12.40pm on Tuesday. Waterloo Road was shut off while business and homes were evacuated - with affected residents offered emergency accommodation.
Six people - including three who were rescued - were treated by paramedics while a man and woman were taken to hospital. Waterloo Road had to remain closed until yesterday with forensics spotted at the scene.
READ MORE: Mark Robins delivers Ben Pearson update as Stoke City pursue 'one or two' transfer deals
READ MORE: Ex-Stoke City star James McClean next to crashed car as dashcam footage emerges
Today and Staffordshire Police have confirmed how 'the remains of cannabis growing equipment' was found. In addition a 58-year-old man, from Stoke-on-Trent, has been arrested on suspicion of arson and cultivating a cannabis plant.
Meanwhile the precise cause of the huge fire is still being investigated. As reported by StokeonTrentLive, Tuesday's incident saw thick plumes of smoke billow out across the Mother Town as emergency services lined up in what proved a major operation.
Such was the ferocity of the blaze that firefighters had to continue 'dampening down' overnight into Wednesday. Detectives brought in to investigate the fire have urged witnesses to come forward.
A spokesperson said: "The cause of the fire is still being investigated today .A search of the inside of the building uncovered the remains of cannabis growing equipment. No plants were found inside."
The arrested man has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue. Witnesses should call 101 and quote incident 280 of January 21.