50 firefighters tackle major blaze at hotel

More than 50 firefighters are tackling a major blaze which broke out in part of a hotel's roof.

A full evacuation of guests and staff from the four-star lakeside accommodation was ordered by officers when it started at 11.40am.

At least 10 fire engines, as well as special appliances and a water bowser were deployed to the 33-acre grounds of the Reading Lake Hotel in Berkshire.

Investigations into how the fire started are underway.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Jim Powell described the blaze as 'pretty serious.'

He added: "The good news is that nobody was injured in the fire and everyone has been evacuated...So far all we know is that the fire broke out in a part of the roof of the hotel."

"It is a pretty serious fire for us to have sent out 10 pumps as well as a couple of special appliances and fire officers.

"As well as putting out the fire and keeping everybody safe we are working to reduce the amount of damage to the building.

"There will be an investigation into how the fire started."

Mr Powell also said it was too early to estimate the cost of damages to the country house hotel.

It comes just weeks after more than 230 guests were evacuated from neighbouring the Wokefield Park complex because of a roof fire on November 11.

The massive blaze engulfing the three star hotel and conference centre on the outskirts of Reading, Berks. was attended by at least 13 fire engines.

There were also six other fire engines on standby as flames ripped through the roof and a large part of the De Vere hotel.

Fire engines from across Berkshire and Hampshire rushed to the hotel complex, set in 250 acres of landscaped gardens, but were confronted by a blaze described by onlookers as "enormous." It was understood that damage was expected to run into millions of pounds.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said that the evacuated guests had been shuttled to other hotels in Windsor and Reading.

"A lot of the main building complex is on fire. We believe that it broke out at about 6pm tonight in the roof and spread very quickly," said the spokesman.

"The blaze is a major incident and is going to have a significant impact on the fire service overnight.

"At this stage we do not know whether the fire started accidentally or is suspicious."