POLICE have found evidence of a cannabis farm after a fire tore through a house in a case of suspected arson.

Emergency services rushed to tackle the blaze in Ripstone Gardens last Saturday.

Four engines tackled the fire which completely destroyed the first floor of the semi-detached house and severely damaged its roof.

Police have reportedly found evidence that the address was being used to cultivate cannabis.

There has been a police guard at the house because it is “potentially a crime scene” and the building is deemed unsafe.

Investigations are ongoing and at the time of writing no on has been arrested or charged.

Last week police discovered a cannabis farm of more than 100 plants at an address on River Walk.

According to police, they are keeping an open mind over whether there is any connection between the incident in Ripstone Gardens and the farm on River Walk.

According to Hampshire Police, the fire is believed to have started at around 4am on Saturday.

The exact cause isn’t yet known but it’s being treated as suspected arson at this stage.

One neighbour who wished to remain unnamed said: “The neighbours woke me up banging on the door and saying get out “there is a fire”.

“When I got outside the top bedroom windows of the house were breaking then it spread across to the loft and roof. I have got a bit of water damage but I was lucky it could have been a lot worse.”