More than 40 firefighters tackle 'major fire' near Reading

Crews from across Berkshire supported by colleagues from Surrey and Hampshire were called to the scene

Author: Jonathan RichardsPublished 15th Apr 2021
Last updated 15th Apr 2021

Firefighters from across Berkshire have been supported by crews from hampshire and Surrey at a major fire near Reading.

More than forty firefighters attended a low-rise apartment block at Millard Place at Arborfield just after lunchtime.

A spokesperson from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said:

"At 2.19pm on Thursday, 15 April, we received reports of a fire in a residential building at Millard Place, Reading.

"Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Wokingham, Whitley Wood, Wokingham Road, Bracknell, Crowthorne, Caversham Road, Mortimer, and Dee Road, alongside the Aerial Ladder Platform and Incident Command Unit, supported by crews from Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, were sent to the scene."

A spokesperson for South Central Ambulance Service added:

"Fortunately no casualties at this major fire.

"All occupants of the flats (including a cat and a Labrador) were accounted for.

"We remain on standby (with our Hazardous Area Response Team) to provide medical cover to our colleagues at RBFRS if needed. The flat occupants have all been evacuated to a nearby school – we have an ambulance crew there just assessing a couple of residents who have pre-existing medical conditions and have left medication in their flats. We’ll ensure they can get replacements."

At the height of the fire roads in the area were closed and people living nearby were asked to close their doors and windows.

RBFRS said at 6pm the incident had been scaled back but crews would remain at the scene overnight.

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