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Watford tower block fire inquiry sees two teenagers charged

News imageJustin Dealey/BBC Fire damage at Watford flatsJustin Dealey/BBC
The fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday morning at Abbey View in Watford

Police investigating a fire at a tower block have charged two teenagers with arson.

The fire broke out at about 04:50 BST on Tuesday at the 17-storey Abbey View on the Meriden Estate in Watford.

All 94 flats in the complex had to be evacuated as a precaution, Hertfordshire Fire Service said.

Two boys from Watford - aged 13 and 14 - attended a remand court hearing earlier and were released on bail. They will be in court again on 27 July.

Det Insp Chris Parperi, from the Watford Local Crime Unit, said: "We appreciate that this incident has, understandably, caused a great deal of concern among the local community and officers remain in the area to provide reassurance.

"If you have any information about what happened and haven't yet spoken to police, we'd urge you to please do so."

News imageAndrew Carberry Fire damage at block of flatsAndrew Carberry
People were evacuated from a number of flats in the tower block on Garsmouth Way
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