Boy, 17, arrested after several homes badly damaged in large-scale fire in Calcot
11:45am
A 17-year-old boy from Calcot 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, the Deputy LPA commander for West Berkshire, said: "Sadly, a number of residents have been displaced and several properties have suffered damage, some of which is very significant.
“We have arrested a 17-year-old boy in connection with this incident while our investigation continues.
“I am appealing to anybody who was in the area last night and witnessed what happened to please get in touch with Thames Valley Police either by making a report online or by calling 101, quoting reference number 43220335883.
“If you do not wish to speak directly to police, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“Naturally, this incident has had a significant impact in the local community with a number of residents affected.
“They are being supported and work is ongoing to ensure those whose homes are badly damaged are relocated.
“There will be a considerable presence of police officers and investigators at the scene for some time as this investigation continues.
“The exact cause of this fire is still under investigation, and we are in the very early stages of this, and would urge the local community not to speculate, but contact police if you have any information that can assist.
“I’d be particularly keen to hear from anybody who may have CCTV, doorbell or dash-cam footage from around the time of the incident last night to please contact us and provide this to us.
“It is testament to the professionalism of our officers and colleagues in the fire and ambulance services that this incident was brought under control quickly and no-one was seriously hurt.
“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.”
11:30am
In a statement, One Housing said: “Earlier this morning, One Housing was alerted of a fire impacting nine houses at Red Cottage Drive, Calcot, Reading and sent a specialist team to the properties to support our customers.
"Our team has been working to support customers with temporary accommodation and financial support for those who have been unable to return to their home. For those neighbouring residents who have been allowed back into their homes, we are assessing any repairs required.
"Our thoughts are with the residents who have been affected by this and thank the work of the emergency services and the local council.
"Our focus remains on supporting our customers at this difficult time.”
10:30am
Some residents are allowed into the other buildings now the fire is out, 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 the residents when we arrived.
"Initially we started by trying to keep the fire in check at the front.
"We were told that some residents had gone back inside to try and retrieve their pets, we had to scale it up to being a persons reported incident and send in crews to try and find them.
"The people reported to have gone back in went in briefly and came back out. No-one was in the building and no-one needed rescuing. It became a firefighting and a safety situation.
09:00am:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service say the incident is now being scaled back but firefighters remain at the scene dampening down.
Reinspections are also being carried out so people are being urged to avoid the area.
In a statement, the service confirmed crews from Newbury Fire Station, and a crew from Theale, Caversham Road, Whitley Wood, Wokingham Road, Mortimer, Bracknell, Crowthorne, and Maidenhead fire stations were all sent to the scene, alongside the Aerial Ladder Platform from Whitley Wood Fire Station, the Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead Fire Station and two RBFRS Officers.
In a statement, South Central Ambulance Service said: "SCAS attended and sent an operational lead, paramedics and hazardous area response team to the scene to support.
08:45am:
Residents living in Red Cottage Drive have been describing their shock after being woken in the early hours of the morning.
"It was absolutely horrific, said one resident. "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's 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.
One of the residents describes what she saw as she came out into the street
"We spent the majority of the night outside and then went upto the centre around 3am, she added.
"We have literally been awake all night basically."
Another resident described the scene as terrible. He said "It was blazing all up - had a knock at the door and 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 Councillor for Tilehurst South and Holybrook, Biyi Oloko said: "I'm here to listen to the residents and get a better understanding of what's happened here.
"Hopefully any lessons learnt here can be applied elsewhere.
07:30am:
Several homes have been destroyed after a fire broke out in Red Cottage Drive, Calcot.
Residents have been evacuated from the scene and directed to Calcot Infant School which has been set up as a triage centre.
Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service have been on the scene since the early hours of this morning.
Police said in the early hours that no serious injuries had been reported "at present".
Nearby residents are being told to keep their doors and windows closed by the emergency services, whilst Red Cottage Road is closed.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this stage.
Fire crews remain at the scene to tackle the blaze.
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 began said:
"Major fire six home on fire at Read Cottage Driving Reading.
"10 fire engines and reports of a loud bang so one person [told me]."
Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue and South Central Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.