Second victim of Reading flat fire named
A second person killed in a fire at a block of flats in Reading has been named.
The bodies of two people were carefully removed from the building on Monday (31 January).
The second victim was 46 year old Richard Burgess. The second victim was 46 year old Richard Burgess.
Mr Burgess’s family is being supported by specially trained officers and they have released the following tribute to him:
“Richard was a much loved son, step son and brother. He was a caring and thoughtful person, kind and not judgemental. He would often give money to homeless people, begging on the street. He was prepared to go without himself, even though he had very little money to spare.
“He enjoyed simple pleasures - a pint or two in the local with his friends, a game on the PlayStation with his brother, a ride out into the countryside on his bike.
“In fact, he was very interested in the environment and the natural world, exploring much of the South Chilterns, the New Forest and the Isle of Purbeck on his bike.
“He always took time to enjoy the landscape and countryside he was passing through. He relished being outdoors, which was reflected in his work as a gardener over the years.
“Richard just wanted to live in peace and quiet, getting on with his life undisturbed. Tragically, he was denied this in a cruel and horrific way. He has been taken from us far too soon and will be sorely missed by all his family and friends.”
The fire broke out at a block of flats on Rowe Court on the 15th of December.
The blaze left the building in an unsafe state and recovery workers had to slowly remove pieces of the building to reach the bodies.
The Thames Valley Police Major Crime Unit is continuing its investigation into the incident, and a man has been charged in connection with it.