FIRE CREWS were called to a business on Oxford Road after reports of smoke earlier this morning, Thursday, January 11.
At around 7.41am, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services were called to Mama Afrika on Oxford Road as smoke was seen filling the building.
Fire crews entered the building to assess the incident and concluded that the smoke was the result of a ‘smoke cloak’ installed in the business, and that there was no fire.
Crews from Caversham Road, Wokingham Road, and Whitley Wood fire stations were in attendance, alongside an officer, for around 55 minutes.
Mama Afrika has confirmed that the smoke was the result of security measures after it was thought that there was an intruder in the building.
Following the incident, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service posted a statement that reads: “At 7:41am on Thursday, 11 January, we received reports of a fire on Oxford Road in Reading.
“Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Caversham Road, Wokingham Road and Whitley Wood fire stations were sent to the scene alongside an Officer.
“Upon arrival, crews discovered a building filled with smoke–firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus entered the property and searched for the source, concluding that the cause was a smoke cloak.
“Firefighters then used a fan to ventilate the smoke from the property.
“Crews were at the scene for approximately 55 minutes.”
A Smoke Cloak is a security device used by businesses which generates fog to obscure the vision of intruders, and can be linked to and triggered by alarm systems.
There are currently no reports of any injuries or damage as a result of the incident.
