A tower block in Garston was evacuated this morning (July 12) as a fire spread through the building.
The Abbey View tower block on the Meriden Estate was evacuated after the building caught alight at around 5am this morning.
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the fire started in a bin, which then spread to the 16-storey building.
Two teens have been arrested in conncection with the incident and remain in police custody.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police said: “Police were called at 4.50am today (Tuesday 12 July) to reports of a fire at a block of flats in Garsmouth Way, Watford.
“Officers attended to assist colleagues from Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service at the scene. The East of England Ambulance Service also attended and road closures were in place. Residents of the block were evacuated while the fire, which started in a bin store, was put out.
“Minor smoke inhalation-type injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
“Two males, aged 13 and 14, have been arrested in connection with the investigation and remain in police custody at this time.”
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 4.49am today (Tuesday) to an exterior bin fire which was affecting a nearby block of flats in Garsmouth Way, Watford.
“In total 13 appliances attended – Garston, Watford (x3 – including aerial ladder platform), Rickmansworth, Kings Langley, St Albans (2), Hemel Hempstead (2), Hertford (2) and Wheathampstead.
“One 17th floor high rise block of approximately 50m x 50m – fire in rear bin store. Breathing apparatus and hosereels used to extinguish the blaze.
“Residents were evacuated for safety reasons and the fire was all out by 6.12am.
“The fire is currently listed as deliberate.”
Anyone with information about the incident that could assist ongoing enquiries into what happened is asked to please contact police on 101, quoting ISR 90 of 12 July, 2022.
Photo credit: Andrew Carberry
0 Comments