Meriden fire should stop new high-rise blocks man warns

Andrew Carberry, 44, was one of the first to alert people of a fire in the Abbey View tower block on July 12 at around 5am.

Smoke coming from Abbey View tower and Andrew Carberry. Pictures: Andrew Carberry

The blaze has left five families unable to go back to their homes and other residents have spoken of the trauma they have faced since returning.

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Yesterday at 9.01am Mr Carberry voiced his concerns in a tweeted letter to Mayor Peter Taylor asking for him to rethink the building of high-rise tower blocks in Watford.

(2/2) Here is the letter I sent to @Observer_Owl's editor I sent in regards to @WatfordMayor's response to the Abbey Fire incident (and I did amend this and send this back to the wobby after I spotted a spell check issue in one line) @__cunningham @NewsFrenchTony @BBCLookEast pic.twitter.com/8Rv1jtrnAa

— Carbs (@AndrewCarberry) July 16, 2022

The letter said: “Should we not pause and look at previously agreed tower block builds after this incident.”

Mr Taylor said the fire department is consulted as part of every planning application and the latest fire regulations are insisted upon.

He added: “I have made no secret of the fact that I oppose Watford's high housing target, which the government tripled in 2018.

“The government’s housing target and planning rules have resulted in higher buildings in Watford.

“This is something I will continue to fight."

On the same day, Mr Carberry tweeted a separate letter to Watford MP Dean Russell at 9.04am.

It said: “I would like to ask you the question why you feel it is more important to stay in Westminster rather than support the people of your town in a time of crisis?”

(1/2) Here is the letter I sent to @Observer_Owl's editor I sent in regards to @dean4watford's response to the Abbey Fire incident (or lack of response) @__cunningham @NewsFrenchTony @BBCLookEast pic.twitter.com/tMZgy0rHMB

— Carbs (@AndrewCarberry) July 16, 2022

Mr Russell told Watford Observer that he visited the site twice on Saturday, July 16. The first time it was to see the damage privately.

At the time of publication, Mr Russell did not state the time of his visit.

He said he was advised by police not to visit the site earlier in the week when he enquired because it was an active crime scene.

Mr Russell also visited the site at 6pm with Bhavika Badarshahi, secretary of the Meriden Residents Association, to speak with residents.  

MP Dean Russell visiting Abbey View tower block. Picture: MP Dean Russell

He added: “I remain in regular contact with the police and Watford Community Housing, and I am more than happy to attend any meetings that are planned.

“I am grateful for the heroism showed by Mr Carberry for his actions on the morning of the fire.”

Today (Sunday, July 17) Mr Carberry tweeted about Mr Russell's visit to the Meriden Estate.

Fair play @dean4watford I heard you popped down to the Meriden estate last night and were seen chatting to people at about 6pm outside the new shops...I do hope u took a chance to speak to those affected in the #watfordfire & weren't nipping in for a bottle or 3 for Bojo's party

— Carbs (@AndrewCarberry) July 17, 2022

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