Station Hill: Specialist investigation to look into Reading fire

The fire broke out on the site of the Station Hill development last month

A specialist fire investigation is to be carried out into a blaze at a high-rise building under construction.

A worker on the burning building was rescued by a crane when a large fire broke out on the Station Hill development in Reading last month.

Berkshire Fire Authority's management committee heard crews on the scene showed "incredible professionalism".

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a Tier 2 investigation would be held.

The fire broke out shortly before midday on 23 November, with plumes of thick black smoke visible for miles across Reading.

Crane operator Glen Edwards was later praised for his actions in using a cage to rescue the workman, who was surrounded by flames and thick smoke.

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation.

The authority's management committee, made up of councillors from across Berkshire, discussed the fire at a meeting on Monday.

Reading Borough Council's Paul Gittings congratulated crews for their "magnificent response".

"Three engines were there from eight minutes of the call. Incredible professionalism of all those involved."

However, he said Reading members were "very concerned" about the reasons for the fire.

The Station Hill development was due to open in 2024. Sited next to the railway station, the development will include 15 floors of workspace and a fitness club.

Reading MP Matt Rodda also raised concerns after what was the second fire on the site in five months.

Crews dealt with the earlier break-out on 7 July.

Deputy chief fire officer Mark Arkwell said with more than 180 high-rise buildings in the county, crews were "very well prepared" to deal with this kind of incident.

"These are all too often, so we have to do all we can to prevent them," he said.

He confirmed a Tier 2 investigation would take place, which he described as "more invasive and quite specialist".

The investigation will be held with the support of the West Midlands Fire Service but Mr Arkwell was unable to give a timeline for when it would be completed.

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