WORK to make a burnt down building safe is preventing police from confirming the identities of two missing people.
In the early hours of Wednesday, December 15, a major fire took place at a block of flats in Rowe Court, off Grovelands Road in Reading.
One person died, while the body of a second person was located in the building on Thursday, December 30.
However, the instability of the remaining structure means emergency services are unable to enter it at this time.
Two people have been reported missing and, in an update released by Thames Valley Police, they said they are supporting the affected families.
“Our priority remains to recover those within the building respectfully, identify them and return them to their families,” a statement said.
“The building remains unsafe to enter as it is likely to collapse. Our plan to recover those inside involves carefully taking down sections of the building in a controlled way.
“The exclusion zone already in place will continue to protect surrounding properties and keep residents safe.”
To gain access, a Police Victim Identification and Recovery Team, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, crime scene investigators and contractors are working together to remove individual parts of the building.
The force said that this is a planned approach and would dismantle the building, from top to bottom, in 4m sections. They will be working from the most severely damaged, right-hand side.
Uncertainty over the construction materials used is also hindering progress. The teams need to assess for dangerous materials such as asbestos, and fibreglass insulation.
Thames Valley Police warned that those living nearby would see people wearing protective equipment to ensure their safety and that this was a normal safety measure.
Superintendent Steve Raffield, local policing area commander for Reading, said: “We expect this work to be ongoing every day, aside from bank holidays, into the spring months as it needs a careful approach.
“While it is taking place we will do our best to keep noise and dust to a minimum.
“You may notice larger vehicles in the area as they’ll be used to take material away from the building site.”
He warned that the building is now “very delicate” and the work could trigger a spontaneous collapse.
“If this does happen, please do not be alarmed. Contractors on site are equipped to deal with this and there will be no danger to the public,” he said.
“We would advise you close windows to minimise any impact of dust entering your home.”
He added: “I know that this remains a very distressing and difficult time for so many people, and my thoughts and sympathies remain with all those who are affected.
“Please be reassured that we are all working together to resolve this situation as quickly and safely as we can.”
His views were echoed by Tregear Thomas, area manager at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, who thanked residents for their patience while the recovery work continued.
“We understand that this has been a difficult time for everyone and our top priority remains to resume the recovery efforts of those within the building as soon as safely possible,” he said.
“At this time, the building remains structurally unsafe and parts of the building would have to be removed in a careful and controlled manner in order to recover those within the building without compromising the safety of teams’ onsite.
“Preparation work for this is underway and, as part of this, we have determined that due to the complexity and the extensive damage to the building, teams will likely have to remain onsite until approximately spring time.
“We understand that those nearby may be experiencing disruption while these essential works continue and so want to say thank you to the local community for their continued patience and cooperation.”
He added: “While work at the scene is ongoing, our staff will be visiting properties in the nearby area to offer advice to local residents.
“We recognise that this continues to be a challenging incident for all those affected and would like to reassure residents that we, alongside partners, are working to resume all recovery efforts as swiftly and as safely as possible.”
