11:45 am
A 17-year-old Calcott boy has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the fire.
He remains in police custody.
Chief Inspector Emily Evans, LPA deputy commander for West Berkshire, said: “Unfortunately, a number of residents were displaced and several properties suffered damage, some of it very extensive.
“We have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with this incident while our investigation continues.
“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area last night and witnessed what happened to please contact Thames Valley Police either by making a report online or by calling 101 quoting reference number 43220335883.
“If you do not wish to speak to the police directly, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“Obviously, this incident has had a significant impact on the local community with a number of residents affected.
“They are being supported and work is continuing to ensure that those whose homes have been badly damaged are relocated.
“There will be a significant presence of police officers and investigators at the scene for some time while the investigation continues.
“The exact cause of this fire is still under investigation and we are in the very early stages of this and we would urge the local community not to speculate but to contact the police if you have any information that may help.
“I would be particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have CCTV, doorbell or DVR footage from around the time of the incident last night to contact us and provide it.
“It is a testament to the professionalism of our staff and colleagues from the fire and ambulance services that this incident was brought under control quickly and there were no serious injuries.
“I would like to thank the local community for their patience and understanding in supporting the evacuation while we dealt with what was a very serious incident.”
11:30 in the morning
In a statement, One Housing said: “Earlier this morning, One Housing was alerted to a fire affecting nine houses in Red Cottage Drive, Calcot, Reading and dispatched a specialist team to the properties to support our customers.
“Our team is working to support customers with temporary accommodation and financial support for those who have not been able to return to their homes. For those neighboring residents who have been allowed to return to their homes, we are assessing any necessary repairs.
“Our thoughts are with the residents who were affected by this and we thank the emergency services and the local council for their work.
“Our focus remains on supporting our customers at this difficult time.”
10:30 in the morning
Some residents have been allowed into the other buildings, the fire has now been extinguished but the affected properties are still cordoned off.
Watch Manager at Theale Fire Station, Mark Brown-Smith said: “There was a lot of panic and stress from residents when we arrived.
“Initially we started by trying to contain the fire at the front.
“We were told some residents went back inside to try and get their pets, we had to escalate it to a person reported incident and send teams out to try and find them.”
“The people who were reported to have returned were in briefly and out. No one was in the building and no one needed rescuing. It became a firefighting and safety situation.
09:00 AM:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service says the incident is now being contained, but firefighters remain at the scene and are putting out the fire.
Re-checks are also being carried out so people are urged to avoid the area.
In a statement, the service confirmed that crews from Newbury fire station and crews from Theale, Caversham Road, Whitley Wood, Wokingham Road, Mortimer, Bracknell, Crowthorne and Maidenhead fire stations were sent to the scene, along with an aerial ladder platform from Whitley fire station Wood, the Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead Fire Station and two RBFRS officers.
In a statement, South Central Ambulance Service said: “SCAS attended and dispatched operational management, paramedics and a hazardous area response team to the scene to support.
Fire brigade teams are carrying out additional inspections of the properties.
08:45 am:
Residents living in Red Cottage Drive described their shock after being woken up in the early hours of the morning.
“It was absolutely horrible, one resident said. “There were flames, everyone was evacuated. We were told to get the children out of the houses in case of a gas explosion.
“This is the third time there has been a fire on Red Cottage Drive in the last few years.
“It’s like living in a Lego set – if one goes up, so do the rest.
“We spent most of the night outside and then went up to the center around 3am, she added.
“We’re literally up all night.”
Another resident described the scene as horrific. He said: “It all went up in flames – someone knocked on the door and I was told to get out so I did.
“I was shocked, I didn’t know what to do, then the adrenaline just kicked in. It’s bad.”
District Councilor for Tilehurst South and Holybrook, Biyi Oloko said: “I am here to listen to the residents and to better understand what happened here.
“We hope that any lessons learned here can be applied elsewhere.
07:30 am:
Several houses were destroyed after the fire broke out in Red Cottage Drive, Calcot.
Residents have been evacuated from the scene and directed to Calcot Children’s School, which has been set up as a triage centre.
Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Central Ambulance Service have been at the scene since the early hours of this morning.
Police said in the early hours that there were no reports of serious injuries “at this time.”
Emergency services are telling nearby residents to keep their doors and windows closed while Red Cottage Road is closed.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.
Fire crews remain at the scene to extinguish the fire.
Video from Paul King, who was at the scene of the fire in the early hours.
Local journalist Paul King, who was at the scene shortly after the fire started, said:
“Big fire. Six home fires at Read Cottage Driving Reading.
“10 fire trucks and loud blast alarms, so one person [told me].”
Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service have all been contacted for comment.
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