A SUSPECTED cannabis farmer jumped from the first floor of a burning building to avoid arrest.

When firefighters and police arrived at the converted flat in Blackburn they found cannabis plants with a potential street value of up to £150,000 and a large amount of US dollars.

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Officers have now launched a manhunt following the discovery of around 300 plants in an upstairs bedroom and two basement rooms.

A total of $10,000 dollars was also found scattered around the bedroom, police said.

Forensic officers could be seen inside the property in Bolton Road, above the former Ewood Convenience Store, early yesterday morning.

By the early afternoon neighbourhood policing officers had dismantled the 'sophisticated' set up and were loading evidence bags into a van.

Officers are urging residents who suspect people of growing or dealing drugs in their area to come forward.

Inspector Abid Khan said: "This is unacceptable.

"We are working to catch the person or people responsible for this sophisticated cannabis set up and arrest them.

"When we get information about these types of locations we will deal with them robustly.

"Nobody wants this going on next door to their house.

"If anyone has concerns someone is selling, growing or using drugs in their area I would urge them to call the police."

Neighbours spoke of their shock at seeing a man jumping 15feet out of the window.

One resident said: "I am not surprised that a cannabis factory has been found around here.

"There are drug addicts on this street.

"I see them on the corner waiting for the supplier.

"I used to see the man from that flat looking through the curtains sometimes.

"I saw the fire engines and the police. I thought something funny was going on.

"One of my neighbours came across and told me he jumped out of the window. It was very shocking for them."

Another resident said: "I am really surprised. I didn't realise anybody was living there.

"You don't like to think something like that is going on in your area."

Firefighters from Darwen and Hyndburn had been called to the fire after neighbours reported seeing a man jumping out of a bedroom window.

The property is not thought to have been seriously damaged.

Engineers from the electricity board were called to the house to isolate the power, police said.

It is thought the occupant may have been stealing electricity.

A fire service spokesman said: "We were called to a fire in the basement of a property in Bolton Road, Blackburn at around 2.20pm on Tuesday.

"Firefighters from Darwen and Hyndburn Stations attended.

"They used four breathing apparatus and two hose reel to extinguish the fire and a portable fan to clear the smoke.

"Firefighters informed the police about a possible cannabis set up.

"The cause of the fire is under investigation"

Anyone with information should call police on 101 quoting log number 691 of February 28.