Two pensioners have been left homeless and living out of their car after fire and flooding destroyed their flat in Cuffley, but the couple are determined to get back on their feet.

On August 21, a blaze started at a block of flats in Station Road, causing serious damage to a property in the building.

The flat was occupied by 65-year-old Alan Connolly and his partner, 71, with fire and a water leak leaving their home uninhabitable and destroying their possessions.

Alan and his partner have been unable to find anywhere to live since the fire.Alan and his partner have been unable to find anywhere to live since the fire. (Image: Alan Connolly)

"My partner and I are homeless at the moment. All we're doing is living out of our car and sofa surfing," Alan told the Welwyn Hatfield Times.

"Our flat was below the fire and it got really badly flooded. We've lost absolutely everything. All we have left is our clothes."

The couple have found refuge at a flat occupied by the daughters of Alan's partner, but he admitted it's a far from ideal situation.

"It feels like we're invading. They work from home which makes things difficult for them, and when we are there they're confined to their bedrooms. It's not really fair on them, but they've been so good to us," he said.

Alan's flat suffered extensive damage.Alan's flat suffered extensive damage. (Image: Alan Connolly)

The couple are determined to get back on their feet though, with Alan adding: "We've applied to lots of councils to help us out, but because we can sleep in the car and have been sofa surfing, we're not actually classed as homeless.

"We're pensioners, we need find somewhere to live, and we need something to change soon. We're hoping we can get back on our feet soon, and we won't give up."

Following the blaze, Herts police launched an arson investigation.

Alan hopes he and his partner can be back on their feet soon.Alan hopes he and his partner can be back on their feet soon. (Image: Alan Connolly)

A spokesperson for Herts police confirmed that fire investigators now believe "accidental electrical ignition" was the cause.

"From investigations, there were possible signs of cannabis cultivation up there, including wiring and lighting," the spokesperson told this newspaper.

"In addition to this, there are no indications that the fire was intentional, it likely that the fire was the result of an accidental electrical ignition."

Police found evidence of cannabis being grown above Alan's flat, which may have caused the blaze.Police found evidence of cannabis being grown above Alan's flat, which may have caused the blaze. (Image: Alan Connolly)