Ten fire engines attended after smoke at Liberty Court in Borehamwood

A total of ten fire engines attended after reports of smoke coming from the third floor of the seven-storey Liberty Court building in Brook Close on Friday evening.

Although smoke was found in a communal area, Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue has confirmed the incident turned out to be a “false alarm”.

The scene in Brook Road by Liberty Court on Friday evening (Image: Cllr Michelle Vince)

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “We were called at 8.40pm on Friday November 11 to reports of smoke on the third floor of a high-rise building in Brook Close, Borehamwood.

“As this was a high-rise building, eight fire engines from Hertfordshire and North London, an aerial ladder platform and command support unit were sent to the scene.

“On arrival crews found smoke in the communal area of the third floor, and investigated the source of the smoke.

“Fortunately this turned out to be a false alarm and there was no firefighting required.”

Crews were stood down by 9.40pm.

At 20:40 @BorehamwoodFire @redsfirewatford @fire_PottersBar @garstonfire attended a high-rise building fire in Brook Close Borehamwood following reports of smoke. After thorough investigation this was thankfully deemed to be a good intent false alarm & crews stood down at 21:37.

— Herts Fire Control (@HertsFRSControl) November 11, 2022

It comes after at least ten fire engines were called out to a fire at flats in Balmoral Drive in Borehamwood in the summer.

Unfortunately, this was not a false alarm and large parts of the building were left destroyed and left families homeless.

The aftermath of the Balmoral Drive fire in August (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

Borehamwood North county councillor Michelle Vince says she came across the emergency response on Friday.

She wrote on her councillor Facebook page: “After Balmoral Drive, my heart stopped as I turned into Brook Road to see so many emergency vehicles parked by Liberty Court.

“I was informed by a fire officer on site that it was a ten pump call out. They were responding to reports of smoke on the 3rd floor.

“As I was leaving trucks were being stood down and I was told the incident was not serious. No one needed emergency housing because of the incident."

Liberty Court in Borehamwood (Image: Google Street View)

The Labour member added: "The turnout by the emergency services was incredible and impressive to see. It was explained to me that a building of that size requires a large turnout of fire engines.

“We must all thank our firefighters for the role they play in keeping us safe.”