Communal areas inside the Abbey View tower were still covered in soot six days after the Abbey View fire broke out, according to a father of three.

James Davis, who lives on the eleventh floor of the tower block, in the Meriden estate, has shared videos of soot in the communal areas and his home.

He has slammed Watford Community Housing for its delayed response to cleaning the communal areas of the block after a blaze broke out on July 12 on the ground floor.

Read More

In one video, Mr Davis can be seen showing his clean hand to the camera and then wiping the communal stairs on the eleventh floor. His hand then appears black with soot.

He said: “I agree that the absolute priority was to re-home the people who lost their homes.  

“But I went back there on Monday to see if they had cleaned the building and it’s still covered in soot in the communal area, and there is a deep smell of smoke.”

Watford Observer: Before (left) and after image (right) of James Davis hand covered in soot when he touches the floor in the Abbey View communal areas on the eleventh floor. Picture: James DavisBefore (left) and after image (right) of James Davis hand covered in soot when he touches the floor in the Abbey View communal areas on the eleventh floor. Picture: James Davis

Mr Davis, 34, said he, his partner and their three children can’t move back until their insurance company has replaced the damaged contents that are covered in soot.

In one of the videos, he can be seen wiping soot from his sofa.

Mr Davis said: “I suggested to Watford Community Housing that I shouldn’t have to pay rent if I can’t live there.

“They asked: ‘Why can’t you live there?’ It’s madness, it’s crazy.

“I’m on the eleventh floor, what must the other flats be like?”

Watford Observer: Soot is all over his children's room. Picture: James DavisSoot is all over his children's room. Picture: James Davis

In addition, Mr Davis, a business intelligence specialist, blasted the housing organisation for failing to do welfare checks on the residents until eight days after the fire.

He believes they only did so because of a letter of complaint he sent.

Watford Community Housing chief executive Tina Barnard said an additional clean up started yesterday (Wednesday, July 20) and a deep clean is taking place in early August.

Ms Barnard added: “We fully understand Mr Davis’s concerns and we are working closely with him to address them as quickly and thoroughly as possible.

“Naturally we want to come to a resolution so that Mr Davis feels safe and comfortable in his home.”

Have you got a story for us? You can contact us here.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

To receive breaking news alerts or newsletters sign up here.

Check out our Watford crime and court Facebook page here.