Firefighters and police rushed to a tower block today because of fears it was on fire.
Police say an emergency call came in from the Meriden housing estate at around 12.30pm after “smoke” was reported to be coming from the 16-storey Munden View block of flats.
Numerous 999 resources were dispatched to the scene with reports of at least eight fire engines, several police cars, and an ambulance in Garsmouth Way.
However, it has been confirmed by police that it was a false alarm and the suspected smoke was actually steam.
A statement from the police force in Watford said: “Emergency services were called at around 12.30pm today (August 28) to a report of a suspected fire in Munden View, Garsmouth Way, Watford.
“Thankfully, we can confirm that there is no fire. A burst pipe had hit something hot resulting in steam which had been mistaken for smoke.”
Emergency services were called at about 12.30pm today to a report of a suspected fire in Munden View, Garsmouth Way #Watford. Thankfully, we can confirm that there is no fire 👍 A burst pipe had hit something hot resulting in steam which had been mistaken for smoke. pic.twitter.com/aHAlfUqYli
— Watford Police (@WatfordPolice) August 28, 2022
It does mean that residents are now potentially suffering problems with their water supply.
Today’s emergency response comes after around 60 firefighters attended a fire that broke out at the neighbouring Abbey View block of flats in July.
Everyone managed to escape mostly unharmed from the blaze which began at 4.50am on July 12.
However, some families had to leave their homes because of damage caused by the fire, although a report by Sprinkler Saves UK says a sprinkler system and fire compartmentation helped limit the spread of the fire.
The fire started in a bin storage area and involved a sofa that had been dumped.
Two boys were bailed after being charged with arson.
Read more: Boys charged with arson after Meriden tower block fire
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