A housing association has been criticised by "frightened" residents after its tower block caught fire.

Residents at Abbey View, Meriden, have claimed that the tower’s safety measures failed to protect residents and deaths were narrowly avoided.

However Watford Community Housing said the safety systems “performed as designed”.

Meriden ward councillor Amanda Grimston said she has been inundated by “frightened” and “hysterical” residents claiming that: sprinklers and alarms failed work, the building design was not safe, and rubbish regularly left uncleared made it more difficult to escape.

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One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “Had the fire been just two meters to the left it would have been on the back exit, which happens to be the only point of exit during a fire.

“If that fire took place closer to the exit door many children would have died - including my own.”

Watford Observer: Abbey View Picture: Kimberley HackettAbbey View Picture: Kimberley Hackett

Cllr Grimston said: “We shouldn’t have to put up with this.

“How did the building perform well?

“Fire alarms didn’t go off, sprinklers didn’t go off. They got quite a bit right but, also, they got so much wrong.

“People are frightened and some I am speaking to are hysterical and saying they need to move out now.

“They need to work with residents that have been affected mentally.”

Watford Community Housing chief executive Tina Barnard said: “We understand people’s concerns after the fire at our Abbey View residential block.

“While this was undoubtedly a frightening incident for everyone involved, we are pleased that the building was evacuated safely, and most people have now been able to return to their homes.

Watford Observer: Flats at Abbey View Picture: Charlotte MarieFlats at Abbey View Picture: Charlotte Marie

“Fire safety is something we take incredibly seriously.

“We have invested over £1m in improving the fire safety measures at Abbey View and Munden View to ensure that they exceeded the building regulations, including the installation of sprinkler systems throughout both blocks.

“Investigations into the incident are ongoing, but our initial assessment, and that of Herts Fire and Rescue Service, is that the building safety systems performed as designed, alerting the emergency services, which helped to ensure the safety of the residents.”

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