Residents feared ‘another Grenfell’ when tower block went up in flames

The hearth broke out in Watford early this morning (Image: Andrew Carberry)

Residents at a block of flats feared it may grow to be ‘one other Grenfell’ when it went up in flames on Tuesday morning.

Firefighters raced to the 16-storey Abbey View block in Garsmouth Means, Watford, at round 5am after a blaze broke out.

An out of doors bin is believed to have been set alight earlier than the flames unfold to the close by constructing.

Andrew Carberry, who ran from his flat screaming ‘fireplace’ to try to alert his neighbours, mentioned: ‘My solely hope was to avoid wasting lives. I didn’t need one other Grenfell.’

He informed the Night Customary he heard ‘what seemed like an explosion’ from his entrance room earlier than peering out the window and listening to the fireplace.

Mr Carberry mentioned he shortly received dressed and headed exterior.

‘I shouted fireplace 20 instances to alert the folks within the tower block,’ he informed the newspaper.

‘One household received out saying they heard my shouts, which is sweet.’

He mentioned the worst harm was confined to the decrease flooring, the place the fireplace appeared to have began.

Firefighters evacuated the primary 4 flooring (Image: Andrew Carberry)

Herts Fireplace and Rescue mentioned the primary 4 flooring have been evacuated earlier than eight engines managed to place the fireplace out.

The ambulance service confirmed one individual was handled on the scene for smoke inhalation and emergency crews proceed to evaluate residents which have been evacuated.

Hertfordshire Police mentioned on Tuesday morning: ‘We're presently helping the fireplace service on the scene of a fireplace in Garsmouth Means, Watford.

‘Highway closures are in place on the junction with Meridan Means & in The Gossamers on the junction with York Means. Persons are requested to please keep away from the realm at the moment.’

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