A ‘significant’ cannabis farm was discovered after firefighters smashed their way into an empty Bradford shop to get to a blaze in its basement, it has been revealed .

Firecrews had been called to the building in Westgate at about 9am on Monday after a nearby trader spotted smoke seeping through a wall and raised the alarm.

Customers at Rita’s Cafe next to it had to be evacuated by staff, but neighbour Raymond Lister, who runs a tailor’s business in the street, said it was only because of the “sickly smell”.

A police spokesman said: “When officers attended, they found a significant quantity of cannabis inside the building, which had been accidentally set alight by bad wiring.”

Only light smoke damage was believed to have been done to the Club Life nightclub above the empty shop.

“Lots of people come and go through the passage next to the shop but you can't tell if they are ever going into the shop or up to the night club,” said Mr Lister.

A police investigation was continuing yesterday.