HAMPSHIRE Constabulary has this week confirmed it is investigating after a “small number of cannabis plants” were found at Highview Business Centre following last month’s fire.

However, as the investigation is still “active”, police were unable to confirm the specific quantities or whether the plants were being cultivated in situ.

A spokesman was also unable to comment on rumours that growing equipment may have contributed to the blaze.

The announcement comes after the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service told the Bordon Herald that the fire, which gutted roofs and upper floors of units at the business centre on Tuesday, July 26, was thought to be “accidental” and “most likely caused” by an “electrical fault”.

A spokesman from Hampshire Fire and Rescue also confirmed that, although arson had been ruled out, Hampshire Constabulary is back behind the wheel of the investigation following the discovery of the illicit substances.

Police said that no arrests had been made so far, but officers were following up a number of enquiries.

The fire was a high-profile incident, with eight pumps deployed to fight the blaze, which caused damage to five units, used mainly for offices and storage, at the business centre.

Staff at unit one, Paradigm, were thought to be the first alerted by a passing member of public who spotted smoke coming from the roof above units one, two and three. As a consequence, 999 was called and affected units were evacuated.

The lofts of two units were said to be “completely destroyed”, as were the first floors of three units.

Eight breathing apparatus, three jets and an ALP monitor (to measure alkaline phosphate) were used, but still the fire caused severe damage to the buildings and triggered part of the roof to collapse.

The fire was dealt with by the early evening, with the “stop” message coming into Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service at 6.30pm.

Fortunately, despite being described as a “severe” incident, no one was injured.

Smoke filled Bordon High Street and gathered around the top of Chalet Hill, causing traffic disruption and ultimately leading to the temporary closure of the A325.

Around 50 firefighters were deployed to tackle the blaze, with fire appliances from Bordon, Alton, Basingstoke, Cosham, Rushmoor, Petersfield, Grayshott and Farnham, together with a ladder platform and a command-centre van.

A number of businesses were displaced as a result, including the Aim Clinic, financial consultant Paradigm, with HaslenetIT and Cycleworks swiftly relocated to available desks at Haslemere Business Centre.

Fellow premises at Highview were left without power while firefighters tackled the blaze, and many staff were unable to get in or out of the area during the afternoon.

In the UK, cannabis is a class-B drug, which carries a possible sentence of up to five years in prison for possession.

However, if charged with supplying the drug, it is possible the dealer could face up to 14 years in prison, though such sentences are relatively rare.

To grow marijuana indoors, suppliers typically use electrical equipment including lamps, cultivating the plant either hydroponically or in soil.

Anyone with any information should call Hampshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.