Police are urgently appealing for information after a man died following a fire at a cannabis factory in Brierley Hill.

Officers were alerted to a blaze at an industrial unit at Premier Trading Estate, Leys Road, around 7.30pm on Thursday 4th June.

Two men were pulled from the unit, with one of them taken to hospital in a serious condition. The 43-year-old man sadly died yesterday afternoon and a post mortem examination will take place to establish the cause of death.

The other man, aged in his 20s, was also taken to hospital and has since been discharged.

It’s believed both these men had been trafficked into the UK from abroad and were effectively being held against their will. The unit, used to grow cannabis on an industrial scale, was locked meaning these men had no way to escape the fire. A spokesperson for the force said:

“We are continuing to work closely with the fire service and their specialist investigation team to establish the cause of the fire and the scene is currently being held for forensic analysis as searches continue over the next few days.

“Anyone with footage, or any information, no matter how small it may seem, is urged to contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101.”

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 

Please quote log number 3969 of 4 June.