A fire that ravaged a Radlett cottage has intensified an ongoing campaign to reopen the village's fire station.

Firefighters reportedly took almost 15 minutes to reach the blaze, on Friday, April 8, during which time a 70-year-old occupant and his labrador escaped unharmed.

The first call to the fire brigade was made at about 9.40pm, before six crews from Watford, Garston, St Albans, Rickmansworth and Borehamwood arrived at the Brook Drive property.

Stephen Oakes-Monger, of Park Road, Radlett, has been tirelessly campaigning to have the Radlett Fire Station reopened since it was closed by Hertfordshire County Council in 2006.

He says he is still infuriated at the situation and says a crew located at the former Watling Street station could be mobilised within six to eight minutes.

Mr Oakes-Monger said: "Fifteen minutes is too long when you have a house on fire. The first eight minutes in a fire are crucial.

"I'm annoyed that other areas are going without cover because of the stupidity in shutting Radlett."

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "We were at the scene in under ten minutes, which is within our target attendance time for house fires."

The cottage suffered extensive damage during the blaze - there was nothing of the first floor rooms, little left of the dining room ceiling, and a large section of the roof was destroyed.

Three years before the station closure, Radlett crews assisted with 145 calls a year in Borehamwood, Bushey and St Albans, as well as incidents on their own patch.

Mr Oakes-Monger said: "One figure that should have swung the decision is the 145 calls. I think the local council has been extremely lucky in Radlett."

There is also concern over the future of the fire station site, owned by Hertfordshire County Council, which has since been put up for sale.

Previous rumours have included a medical centre or flats, though it is thought the nearby Red House Surgery will be the most likely to move to the Watling Street venue.

Until planning application is submitted to Hertsmere Borough Council, purchaser details and site plans will not be in the public domain.