A resident at the Abbey View tower said he feared “another Grenfell” as panicked locals fled a large fire at the Meriden building this morning.

Emergency services thronged to the block of flats at around 5am as residents frantically evacuated with smoke billowing from the bottom floor.

Guru Awasthi, who lives on the second floor, told the Watford Observer: “The smoke was coming and [there were] a lot of noises, and I just opened the door from my balcony and I saw the fire was there downstairs, then immediately I came out and myself and roommate started helping other people to come out.”

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He said the smoke was rapidly increasing so he was unable to go upstairs, so he was trying to help alert those on his floor – which included people with children and dogs.

Guru continued: “The fire was getting dangerous, increasing with every second, it was increasing very fast so other people really got panicked, all of the building got panicked and everyone was rushing to get out.”

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The fire service arrived within 10 to 15 minutes, he said, adding he feared that had they been any longer it could have been “another Grenfell”.

The fire service confirmed no one was seriously injured, while police said two teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of arson.

It is believed to have started in the residential block’s bin store before spreading to the building.

Speaking about residents’ reaction after they got to safety, Guru said: “Everyone was very upset and thinking ‘What will be done? Where will we stay?’ because most only have one accommodation.

“They don’t have another house, like I don’t have any another place to go.

Watford Observer: Guru Awasthi said he feels "a little bit emotional" after the fire.Guru Awasthi said he feels "a little bit emotional" after the fire. (Image: Newsquest)

“So I’m just thinking while looking at my house [wondering] what to do now, and where I’m going to go for the next couple of days and what I’m going to do.

“So I’m just feeling a little bit emotional in that I’m a mortgage owner, I bought this property 15 years before, but I never thought this was going to happen in my life.”