Three men have fled after a cannabis factory exploded into flames in Tetbury today (Friday).
Emergency services were called to an industrial unit off Cirencester Road at around 12.45pm following reports of a building on fire.
Police raced to the scene after three men were spotted running away from the incident – with the National Police Air Service helicopter and a dog unit also deployed.
A 26-year-old man was arrested nearby and is being held in custody on suspicion of producing cannabis, a Class B drug.
More than 45 firefighters worked for several hours to extinguish the blaze – which saw flames protruding from the roof. Gloucestershire Constabulary said the property has “extensive damage”.
Officers are continuing their search for the two other suspects, said to be aged in their 20s or 30s, who left the scene – running across nearby farmland to escape the possibility of arrest.
One man is described as wearing a black hooded top and grey jogging bottoms and the other man was wearing black shorts and a red hooded top.
Cirencester Road was closed until around 4pm as 999 crews attended the incident, but they have since been removed.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they sent nine fire engines from Nailsworth, Stroud, Cirencester, Wotton-under-Edge, Cheltenham West, Gloucester South and Fairford.
Fire crews from Wiltshire – including Chippenham – were also tasked alongside an aerial ladder platform appliance from Cheltenham.
“Nine fire engines have been sent to the scene along with an aerial ladder platform. Two jets and four breathing apparatus are being used to fight the fire”, a spokesperson said.
Adding: “We remain at the scene and are fighting the fire from outside the building.”
Anyone with information should contact the police online by completing the following form and quoting incident 218 of 15 November
