Emergency services were called out to a fire in a Dundee flat — only to discover a stash of cannabis while putting out the blaze, it is alleged.
Nikolas Brown, 23, appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court on Thursday in connection with the incident, which was said to have taken place on Tuesday, shortly before 2pm.
Brown made no plea or declaration.
Fire crews and police rushed to a property in Laing Place after receiving reports of a pot of meat in flames.
It is understood that drugs were allegedly seen when officers from both emergency services went inside the flat to investigate the blaze.
A drugs search warrant was granted and a significant amount of cannabis was said to have been found.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Two fire appliances attended a property in Laing Place, where a pot of meat was on fire.
“We had to force entry using a door buster. There were no injuries or damage. We got the call at 1.52pm and the last appliance left at 2.22pm.”
Laing Place resident Norma Drummond said she had never seen the police staying in the street for so long before.
The 53-year-old carer said: “I first saw police cars at 3.30pm. They left at 5.45pm and another one came then. Later, at 9.15pm, one more police car turned up. A van came at 10pm and another van came at midnight.
“I saw that they went up into one of the flats, but I don’t know what they were doing. I’ve seen police here before, but this is the first time they’ve stayed for so long.”
Azish Salman, 33, who lives in neighbouring Laing Street, said she saw police blocking the road at the time of the incident.
She said: “I saw two fire engines and three police cars. I saw them there between 2pm and 3pm. It’s the first time I’ve seen the fire brigade here, although I do see police sometimes.
“It’s normally a quiet area.”
A police spokeswoman confirmed that a man had been charged.