Police say one person was taken to hospital and around 70 people were evacuated after a fire broke out at a block of flats in St Albans.

The emergency services responded to reports of a fire shortly after 9.20pm on Thursday (January 20) in Abbott House, Everard Close.

Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue say a woman was rescued and led to safety. Police said she was taken to hospital due to possible smoke inhalation.

The fire was extinguished shortly after 10.50pm with two crews from St Albans, one from Harpenden, one from Redbourn, and one from Garston attending.

Dozens of residents were told to leave Abbott House with a cordon put in place at the scene, which is near the Sainsbury's supermarket in Griffiths Way and St Albans Abbey station.

Some were allowed back into their homes at around 11.30pm with the live incident officially declared over by fire crews at 1am.

The fire service says it believes the fire was accidental but there will be an investigation and police officers have also been carrying out enquiries.

Any witnesses or anyone with information should call 101 quoting ISR 721 of 20 January.