A bin store that had previously sparked overfilling concerns caught light in a “huge fire” this morning.
Four fire engines were called to the three-storey block of flats in Ovaltine Drive, Kings Langley at around 6.25am today (January 24).
Herts Fire and Rescue firefighters evacuated the flats while they tackled the bin store blaze, described by a resident as a "huge fire" that "could have been a lot worse".
- 'Rat infestation' filmed at Kings Langley bin store
- Rubbish builds again at Ovaltine Drive flats, Kings Langley
- 'Health hazard' at Thrive Homes bin site 'left unattended'
“Nobody was injured, and the fire is believed to have started accidentally,” a spokesperson added.
In autumn 2022 and July 2023, the Watford Observer had covered complaints about the store, which residents said was becoming a “serious health hazard” due to dumped waste including mattresses and furniture piling up inside and along the alley outside.
When asked about the problems, Thrive Homes, which owns the property, said it was aware of the issue and took steps to redress specific instances.
Today, Thrive Homes assistant director of business assurance and risk Emma Murphy said: “The safety of our customers is very important to us.
“We are working closely with the fire services to investigate the accidental cause of the fire and will take necessary steps to prevent such incidents from happening again.
“We are committed to restoring the bin store as soon as possible and will keep our customers informed of any updates.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel