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‘Blaze could have been prevented’
MBTC-30-05-12- Fire scene St Michael's Rd Bedford.
ANGRY neighbours have spoken about the moment a little girl woke up to flames bursting from a flat in a serious blaze yesterday.
Five people were rescued from the fire in St Michael’s Road, Bedford at 5.30am, including two children. One woman was unconscious and rushed to Bedford Hospital.
It is not yet known how the fire started.
But residents living in the flats, owned by Bedfordshire Pilgrims Housing Association (bpha), say they have been warning bpha for four years about issues at the flat.
Marcus Watson, who lives in one of the second-floor flats, with his partner and eight-year-old daughter, said: “My little girl came and woke up me and my missus and said one of the flats was on fire.
“I looked out and saw flames coming out of the window. When the fire service arrived they brought us out through the top window.
“We have been complaining to bpha for the last four years about anti social behaviour in one of the flats. We have been saying something like this would happen.
“I’m so angry that it has come to this and my family’s life was put in danger. We’ve probably lost all our belongings, and all this could have been prevented.”
Beds and Luton Fire and Rescue Service has launched an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Neighbour Steve Grundy, who lives next door to the block of flats with his wife and two children, said: “I told bpha this would happen and because they didn’t listen to us, all these people’s lives have been put at risk. This could have been avoided.”
The housing association says it has actually been working to take possession of the property in question, but the process takes time.
A spokesman for bpha said: “We are aware of residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour and are working to address these. We can confirm that we are seeking possession of this property at a court hearing taking place on June 6.”
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Weather for Bedford
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
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Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
