Residents have spoken of their shock after a fire at a cannabis factory in South Oxhey.

About 200 cannabis plants were discovered by firefighters called to a blaze at the property in Fulford Grove at 10.39am on Sunday.

Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue spent almost an hour tackling the blaze after a neighbour saw fire coming from the roof of the house.

Witnesses also described seeing officers "digging in the back garden" of the property around 7pm that night and detectives confirmed this was part of their operation to dismantle the cannabis factory.

Ozdemir Tarkan, who lives next door to the property, told the Watford Observer he was working out in the garden when the fire broke out.

He said: "I heard there were fire people coming and police as well. I shouted through the door, but I did not hear anything. I did not see anyone either.

"I was worried about my own property and I was hoping everything was going to be sorted quickly in terms of stopping the fire.

"I did not want my own house to catch fire as well.

Mr Tarkan added he "had no idea" the terraced-house was being used as a cannabis factory and said police told him after the incident.

Kenneth Malt, of Fulford Grove added: I had to cross on to the other side of the road because there were pipes running from the house into the road.

"Perhaps they were water pipes. I do not know."

The cannabis plants have now been removed from the site.

No arrests have been made and detectives are now hunting for the people who were living in the house.

Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Luke Mitchell said: "We are committed to tackling drugs and drug related activity in Three Rivers and will take action where we suspect this is taking place. "In this case a residential property was being used to grow cannabis.

"Local residents may not have known this was occurring in their neighbourhood, but we would ask people to contact police if they see suspicious behaviour or have suspicions about illegal activity in their community.

"If you have information, please contact us via the non-emergency number, 101 with details of where it is happening and who is involved, or any other details that may help us tackle drug crime, so we can take appropriate action.

"You can also report information anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers, via 0800 555 111."

The cause of the fire has been listed as accidental.