THERE is significant damage to a building at the One Station Hill development following a fire this morning.
Emergency services are currently on the scene, setting up a base at Thames Tower.
Thick black smoke rose above the town’s skyline shortly after 11.40am on Thursday, November 17.
Police were at Thames Tower, and four fire engines from several of the town’s stations were scrambled to the scene.
By noon, the thick smoke had stopped spreading, but steam and light smoke could be seen around Station Hill.
Footage of a dramatic rooftop rescue is being circulated on social media.
A crane holding a cage was lowered onto the roof of a blazing building on the One Station Hill development.
Ambulance crews are on site, and police have been seen preparing to launch a drone.
Eye witness Chris said he came out of Harris Arcade and saw the sky completely filled with smoke.
“I thought a plane had got inside one of the buildings because (the smoke) was so big,” he told Reading Today.
“I came around the corner by Nando’s and it was an absolute inferno on the top floor. It was completely covered.
“It was in the middle and spread upwards. I’m surprised the glass didn’t blow out, it was quite full on.
“I can’t quite believe how fast it spread, it was minutes from being a small blaze to a big one.”
Staff from Thames Tower were evacuated as a safety precaution.
A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At 11.38am on Thursday, November 23, we received reports of a fire near Napier Road in Reading.
“A number of our crews are currently on the scene. While emergency services work, we ask that people avoid the area where possible and close windows and doors if you live or work nearby.
“Thank you for your patience while we deal with this incident. Updates will continue to be provided through our website incident feed.”
Buses are facing some diversions at the moment, and it is expected that Station Road will be closed to traffic.
Fire Incident in Friar Street affecting our routes in Reading Town. We are currently unable to serve Friar Street.
— Reading Buses (@reading_buses) November 23, 2023
