BLACK plumes of smoke could be seen billowing from a former cannabis farm which was on fire.

Search dogs and drones were used to find casualties after reports people were trapped inside the building in Hindlip Lane, Hindlip.

Firefighter spent about ten hours at the fire in the old industrial building near Blackpole Road with the first reports coming in at just after 2pm on Sunday, September 15.

Drivers passing Blackpole on the A449 could see the flames through the trees and back clouds of smoke rising high above them.

A witness who lives near to the site said: "I could see the smoke from my house so I went to have a closer look.

"When I got closer, I saw about eight teenagers walking back towards Blackpole Road.

"Kids used to use it as a hangout spot, but I guess they won't be anymore."

Two Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service crews from Worcester, as well as a crew from Bromsgrove and a crew from Malvern, were called out to deal with the blaze at 2.03pm.

They were joined by the water carrier from Evesham, the drone from Wyre Forest and the urban search and rescue dog.

People were still believed to be inside the building when the fire began.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: "The fire was in a derelict commercial building in Hindlip Lane, Hindlip.

"A search of the building and surrounding area was carried out using the drone and the USAR dog with all persons accounted for."

The A449 slip road from Sixways to Blackpole was temporarily closed while firefighters used it to access the scene.

The fire service reinspected the fire at 9pm, before closing the incident at 11.49pm.

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A spokesperson from West Mercia Police said: "We were called to Blackpole Road shortly after 2.20pm on Sunday following a report of a building fire. 

"Officers attended to assist the fire service with road closures."

The site was used as a cannabis farm between March 2014 and October 2015, but it was raided by police after Western Power Distribution found irregularities in power supply in the area.

Two shipping containers filled with cannabis plants were found buried underground and the field has been vacant since.

Three people pleaded guilty to the production of a controlled Class B drug - cannabis.