29 January 2020 | St Albans, UK [Victor Hulbert]
Emergency services were called to the Hollies, a block of 12 flats owned by the Trans-European Division at 3:15 pm on Tuesday, 28 January. Firefighters quelled a fire which was contained to one first floor flat. Smoke and water damage to seven other flats is being assessed.
Residents were quickly evacuated from the building and cared for by TED staff in the main office until they either arranged to stay with relatives or were provided with temporary accommodation via the emergency services.
One resident and one police officer were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. The resident was kept in overnight for observation.
Nenad Jepuranović, TED treasurer, has been liaising with emergency services, Adventist Risk management, and the families. He expressed profound thankfulness for the fast and professional response of the emergency services which included fire, police and ambulance services. That rapid response severely reduced risk to life and limb.
Nathalie Johansson not only lives in one of the flats but as TED Management assistant takes responsibility for caring for TED property. She was able to return to her flat after police gave the all clear for her end of the building. She says, “we think and pray about the others who cannot do the same,” adding, “It has been a scary and sad situation for us all to see this happening to the place we call home. However, I am really grateful for the practical support and comfort offered by the TED office family to all those who have been affected.”
Following normal procedure, police are investigating to establish the root cause of the fire. We anticipate a report in due course and will provide an update once the facts are established.
The Hollies are situated just across the road from the TED office and next to the St Albans Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were originally built to provide housing for TED staff, but some are now rented to church members and others in the community, according to need.
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, editor; Deana Stojković, associate editor
119 St Peter’s Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ted.adventist.org
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