A BLAZE at a derelict pub in Blaenavon unearthed a cannabis farm hidden on the top floor.

Crews tackled the fire at the former Market Tavern in Broad Street on Saturday morning and discovered the plants growing inside the disused property.

The three-storey building has not been occupied for several months since the last tenants moved out.

The fire was spotted by employees from Davies Newsagents, Broad Street who called the fire service at around 7am on Saturday.

“There were rumours circulating about what was happening ever since the fire but it’s just one of those things you don’t imagine will happen in Blaenavon,” said a town shop owner.

“It is a small community up here but this one incident has caused such a load of hassle.”

Despite the fire being extinguished at around 8.25am, Broad Street was closed for more than 48 hours due to concerns over health and safety of the disused building by Torfaen council.

The road was accessible for pedestrians only and the fire meant that a number of local businesses over the past weekend had restricted trade due to the lack of access for vehicles.

However despite its location in Blaenavon, two other streets which the pub borders, Cross Street and George Street, remained open.

It is believed that one of the lamps used to cultivate the cannabis plants was the cause of the fire, which has left a hole in the roof of the building.

The number of cannabis plants which were being grown on the top floor of the Market Tavern has not been confirmed.

The owner of the building, who has not been named so far, is aware of the incident and the damage caused to the entire top floor and the roof.

Gwent Police have confirmed that no-one was inside the building at the time of the incident or injured in the fire but a number of cannabis plants were located at the address.

The police are appealing looking for witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to telephone in Blaenavon, and anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number log: 81 14/11/15.