A house fire that closed a major road in Liverpool was started by a suspected cannabis farm.
Emergency services were called to the fire on Queens Drive in West Derby just after 9.15am.
Four engines from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service attended the property to tackle the blaze.
READ MORE: Man admits to killing Duncan Browne who died after night out
Paramedics were also called but confirmed no one was present at the time of the fire.
One resident of Queens Drive, who did not wish to be named, told the ECHO she saw “billows and billows of smoke” coming from the roof of the property.
She added: “It was terrible. It just went on and on with the flames.”
Another witness said: “At first I thought it was just fog when I looked out the window but then I went outside and saw the smoke coming out of the house."
He added smoke was coming out of the neighbouring house where three young children had to be evacuated.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson told the ECHO the fire was caused by a suspected cannabis farm — but no arrests had been made and enquiries were ongoing.
Chief Inspector Chris Ruane said: “Cannabis farms within our communities can cause serious damage to homes and businesses and endanger families like this one has.
“The growth, storage and sale of cannabis brings many risks to our streets, including a massive fire hazard that overloading the electricity inevitably causes.
“Please keep your eyes, ears and noses out for the signs that cannabis is being grown where you are, so we can prevent such fires from destroying peoples' homes and lives.
“Protect others in your community and tell us if you suspect or have seen anyone who could be using or supplying drugs in this area."
A resident told the ECHO : “This is a nice area. We don’t know who lives there and we don’t have anything to do with them.
“One person comes and then you don’t see them again for a while.”
Police in attendance closed Queens Drive in both directions for a short while, before reopening one carriageway.
The westbound carriageway between Muirhead Avenue to Townsend Avenue remained closed while fire officers continued in the property.
A resident described the traffic as “dreadful” as “people couldn’t get out.”
Police diverted all westbound traffic down Muirhead Avenue, before reopening the road shortly after 1pm.
If you have any information about suspected drug production in this area, please contact @MerPolCC or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
For the latest news and breaking news visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/news
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
