Three people were injured and firefighters searched for hours under collapsed scaffolding in Reading.

Jahangir Shan said he drove past the scaffolding "five or six seconds" before it collapsed.

The BBC has just done an interview the ambulance's incident commander Tony Heselton who said they are still looking but it’s “unlikely” there’s anyone trapped under the debris.

Taxi driver Jahangir Shan told BBC News: "I literally drove past five or six seconds before. I'm still in shock.

"The first thing I thought about was daughter's face, it brought tears to my eyes, I was very lucky.

"I heard a lot of rumbling, it sounded like thunder. I happened to look at my rear view mirror and saw dust and debris.

"A lot of people were running down the road shouting out names hoping to get a response."

Thames Valley Police has temporarily closed the nearby NCP car park to the public, but there were "no concerns" about the building's structure.

A spokeswoman for NCP said it would not charge any customers delayed by the incident.

She added: “We are extremely concerned about the scaffolding that has collapsed at a building near to our car park which has closed the road.

“Our thoughts are with anyone who has been hurt by this incident.”

Matt Graveling
BBC South Today

The police have now widened the cordon to take in a number of roads, including Greyfriars.

People from local businesses are being told they cannot yet get their cars from the NCP car park, which has also been cordoned off with police guarding the entrances and exits.

Police have told them it could be a number of hours.

Some people with meetings and businesses within the cordon are being escorted by police officers to their places of work.

Search and rescue dogs are being taken on and off the site.

Heavy duty machinery is still working on the site - presumably to remove the collapsed scaffolding.

I would estimate there are more than 50 members of the emergency services here.

Police have given an update on their involvement at the scene in Reading, external.

Inspector Jerusa Lyseight-Jone said: "This is an ongoing incident, and we are continuing to support our colleagues from Royal Berkshire Fire & Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service at the scene.

“I would like to thank the public for their patience while this incident is ongoing and would urge you to avoid the area while this incident is ongoing.”

Tony Heselton, incident commander from South Central Ambulance Service, has said three people have been treated for minor injuries after this morning's scaffolding collapse in Reading.

A worker at the site sustained a head injury while a couple who were passing by were also treated.

The woman suffered an ankle injury while the man was in suspected shock. All three were taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment and assessment.

Mr Heselton said medics are remaining on scene to support search and rescue teams.

There are some more images of the devastation after this morning's events in Reading emerging on social media.

We're also still waiting to hear from the emergency services whether anyone has been trapped under the scaffolding.

Image source, Grandesco

Image source, Grandesco

Image source, Grandesco

Image source, Grandesco

Sabina Jeske said she was chatting to a client when they heard a builder shout "run away".

"People started running away and when everything collapsed one lady was caught by the scaffolding and cut her hand," she added.

The derelict building, which used to be Friars Walk shopping centre, is being demolished as part of a £500m housing and retail development at Station Hill in Reading.

The BBC reported in June that property firm Lincoln MGT had bought the development site, becoming its third owner in 13 years.

The building where the scaffolding collapsed is being demolished as part of a £500m housing and retail development at Station Hill in Reading.

The BBC reported in June that property firm Lincoln MGT had bought the site, becoming its third owner in 13 years.

Image source, Google

The Health and Safety Executive has said in a statement it was aware of the building collapse in Reading and is "making initial inquiries".

Eyewitness Louis Stead told BBC Berkshire he saw the collapse while he was working in the building next door.

He said: "We saw the corner of the building fall - it was essentially the scaffolding that was falling down with an almighty crash, and lots of dust and debris.

"It was horrifying, very shocking and very concerning."

Charlotte Winfield
Reporter, BBC Berkshire

The scaffolding has come from the top of the building down across the road - it’s quite a dramatic scene.

There’s a huge concrete bar from the top of the building that’s fallen down and is now resting on the scaffolding.

There are workers inside at the moment, they’re obviously trying to assess what’s going on and looking at the scaffolding.

People are clearly concerned, this is an area where there are lots of office blocks around, and people have seen what happened.

Image source, Other

Police have shut the NCP car park in Garrard Street due to the earlier scaffolding collapse.

Drivers will have to wait to access their vehicles, police say.