A MAN will appear in court next month after a number of suspected cannabis plants were found following a property fire.

Dozens of firefighters from Portland and Weymouth were called to the blaze at a property in Castletown in Portland at 7.45pm on Friday, January 22.

Residents were evacuated from the flats thanks to the sounding smoke alarms. No-one was injured but a dog rescued from the property was given oxygen therapy.

Working smoke alarms ensured residents in the block were alerted and got out safely. The fire is not suspected to be suspicious.

Dorset Police were also called to the property fire, which saw officers discover a number of suspected cannabis plants at the scene.

A spokesman for Dorset Police confirmed a man was arrested and subsequently charged with producing a class B drug.

He said: "At around 8.10pm on Friday, January 22 Dorset Police received a report of a property fire at Castletown on Portland.

"Officers attended and liaised with the fire service. The cause of the fire was not believed to be suspicious, however, it was reported that a number of suspected cannabis plants had been located at the scene.

"A 42-year-old local man was arrested and subsequently charged with producing a class B drug. Paul Richards, aged 42 and of Portland, has been charged with producing a class B drug and is due to appear at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 24."

A spokesman for Portland Fire Station said: "Both Portland appliances along with two Weymouth appliances attended a property fire at Castletown on Portland this evening. Six firefighters in breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using three hose-reels.

"Fortunately the occupant of the flat was out at the time of the blaze and thanks to working smoke alarms all other residents in the building were evacuated safely.

"Firefighters found one dog within the fire and managed to bring it to safety before giving oxygen therapy."