Three people were led to safety by firefighters following a fire in block of flat.

An electrical fire started in a flat at Fuller Court, Bushey, at around 10am this morning.

The flats are for elderly people living independently.

One resident, who does not wish to be named, alerted neighbours to the fire after seeing smoke coming from the top of the building.

Another, who also did not wish to be named, said: “I do not know what happened, I was just warned to leave the building.

“Everybody there was so kind and nobody was hurt.”

White Watch from Hertfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue service were called at 10.02am.

Most people had already been evacuated from the building, but two teams using breathing apparatus took three people to safety.

White Watch Commander Dean said: “The fire was coming through the roof tiles of the building.

“They are meant to repel water, which meant that we could not use this to quell the fire and had to go to the source of the fire.

“Everything we do, including sending the crew into the building is a calculated risk.

“This is why we are continually training and make sure that people are safe and well in their homes.”

Cllr Paul Morris, who represents Bushey Heath Ward, said: “I shot down here as soon as I heard and saw that the problem was being dealt with.

“Thankfully the incident was dealt with very well and everyone is safe.

“The emergency services and housing officers were here very quickly and everybody worked together to help the victims.”

Corporate communications manager for Hertsmere Borough Council Cath Shepherd said: “Our main concern is making sure that the residents are looked after.

“An emergency reception centre was set up in Bushey Golf and Country Club for people to wait in.”

The block is run by management consultant Ian Gibbs Estate Management.

Residents will be able to move back into their homes once the electricity in the property has been checked.

Most residents are staying with relatives until they can move back into the building.

Little Bushey Lane has now been reopened.