Acrid smoke billowed across large parts of the west of Hitchin as firefighters tackled a blaze at Global Ardour in Wallace Way.

This is the forth major fire in Hitchin in less than a year

Cllr Ian Albert (Hitchin North) commenting to Hitchin Nub News said:

"These type of businesses, no matter how well run, are simply no longer appropriate locations for conducting this type of work. No matter how many precautions, the fires will still continue, especially when lithium ion batteries are present often unexpectedly. This puts at risk the safety of residents. And especially the safety of firefighters called in again and again to put out the fires."

 "I have pressed at recent multi agency meetings for an urgent review and action by the Environment Agency and Herts County Council of the licensing permissions and the planning permissions and conditions that allows both organisations to trade. There is also the factor of the leasehold on both sites and the role of the landlord."

Cllr Albert has been in touch with the Chief Executive of North Herts, Anthony Roche, and has asked whether the Environment Agency could urgently undertake air quality testing at the site to provide assurance to residents. Cllr Albert is also pushing for a public meeting for residents where key Agencies can explain their roles and the actions being taken.