A double murder investigation has been launched after two men were stabbed during a robbery at a cannabis factory.
Witnesses reported windows of a house being broken and men running away carrying plants in Pensnett Road in Brierley Hill, Dudley, at 03:30 GMT.
West Midlands Police said a fight spilled out on to the street, during which the men were stabbed, and a car was crashed into parked vehicles.
One man was pronounced dead at the scene while the other died in hospital.
Another man has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob and inquiries are ongoing to identify other men involved.
Insp Nick Barnes said: “We believe this property was deliberately targeted by a group of men who knew it was being used to cultivate cannabis.
“In the ensuing disorder two men have suffered fatal knife wounds.”
The men who died have not been named.
Paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service gave advanced life support and specialist trauma care to the men, one of whom was taken to Russell’s Hall Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
A collision investigation unit was at the scene on Thursday, with an officer seen marking out a set of tyre tracks running across grassland from a pedestrian crossing in Pensnett Road to nearby Wilson Road.
Meanwhile, investigators had put up a forensic tent in Wilson Road, close to a damaged section of wooden fencing and a car which had its passenger-side door open.
Police are appealing for anyone with information or dashcam footage of the scene at the time to get in touch.
At the scene
By Bob Hockenhull, BBC Midlands Today
A large cordon remains in place on Pensnett Road.
Police have been covering the front of a house at the centre of their inquiries with a blue tarpaulin while they carry out forensic examinations.
There are tyre tracks on an open patch of grass leading to a car, which has crashed through a fence and has now been covered up.
A police tent has been put up near to the car.
In another location nearby I have seen a blue BMW, with its rear window smashed, which is being guarded by officers.
Source: bbc.co.uk
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