FOR 40 years, it was a cornerstone of Reading. Yesterday Tessa Towers – the affectionate nickname for the home of the Reading Evening Post – was once again a hive of activity. However, this time the cause was a major fire.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the printworks just after 3.20pm on Thursday, February 22, after flames were seen rising from the empty site.
At least 10 crews were sent, from Caversham Road, Wokingham Road, Newbury, Wokingham, Mortimer, Bracknell, Maidenhead and Theale fire stations. They were supported by teams from Oxfordshire fire service.
An ambulance crew and police cars were also present.
Buildings that once housed the thundering printing presses that churned out thousands of copies of our predecessor now on fire. Smoke could be seen in the distance, and due to the tight construction of the site access was difficult.
When the Evening Post was in its prime, it employed hundreds of people over several floors and the site included a multi-storey car park. Office space included an accounts department, an art studio, a sales department, printing plate making facilities and a busy newsroom.
At the end of its life, it was also home to The Wokingham Times team.
The empty site is in the process of being converted into a food market and entertainment venue to be called Tessa Studios.
Police closed Richfield Avenue in the direction Caversham Bridge roundabout and Cow Lane, as well as Tessa Road, to allow emergency crews to tackle the fire from all sides.
An aerial ladder platform was installed in Tessa Road to allow the flames to be doused from the sky. Another team had entered the building and were seen spraying water on the fire from a fire exit that once led off from the boardroom.
A third team were at the rear of the printworks area, again attempting to bring the blaze under control.
Traffic is very heavy on Richfield Avenue, which was partially closed between Caversham Bridge Roundabout and Cow Lane, and Tessa Road is also closed.
Motorists were advised to avoid the area while the response continues, with the roads expected to be closed for some time.
In a statement, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “At 3.22pm on Thursday, 22 February, we received reports of a fire on Tessa Road in Reading.
“Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Caversham Road, Wokingham Road, Newbury, Wokingham, Mortimer, Bracknell, Maidenhead and Theale fire stations were sent to the scene alongside an aerial ladder platform, four officers and crews from Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service.
“Upon arrival, crews discovered a fire in a derelict warehouse.”
They added: “At its peak, over 50 firefighters were on the scene. They used two main jets, a hose reel and the Aerial Ladder Platform to extinguish the fire.
“Thank you to everyone for their patience while this incident was dealt with.”
