Two facing cannabis charges after blaze damages city house

TWO men have been arrested following a fire at a city house.

The 24-year-olds have been charged with producing cannabis.

The pair have been bailed to appear before Central Devon magistrates on August 12.

Firefighters spent seven hours tackling the blaze in the roof space of the terraced house in Monks Road, Polsloe, from around 2am yesterday.

Nobody was hurt but around 90 per cent of the roof space was damaged by the fire and all of the first floor was damaged by smoke.

Neighbours said they were woken by the sound of fire engines and banging but said they believed the occupants of the property escaped uninjured.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said he saw the fire engines arrive and the occupants standing outside the house.

Amber McIntosh, also of Monks Road, was awoken, too, as was her mum Elizabeth Cunning.

Amber said: “We were out on the street most of the night and we only went to bed at about 7am. I know of the residents of the house but don't know them really well.”

Elizabeth said: “At least nobody was hurt. I am down from Glasgow but I was up making cups of tea and sandwiches for everyone.

“We were woken up at about 2.30am and it went on until about 7am.”

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: “We got woken up by it. I had just finished a 14-hour shift but was woken by all the action.

“The flames were coming right out of the roof and there were four fire engines and police, too. It freaked me out a bit as it was pretty full-on.”

The owners of the property called the fire service when they realised the roof was alight and two crews from Exeter were sent to the incident with Watch Commander Bartlett in charge.

On arrival, the crews discovered smoke pouring from the premises and requested extra assistance which was provided by another Exeter crew and one from Crediton.

A command vehicle and support pump from Exmouth were also sent.

The crews left around 9am but one from Exeter returned at midday to check for hot spots. One was discovered in the roof space.

Firefighters say asbestos was involved and precautions were taken.