A worker has been rescued by a crane from a roof close to a burning building at the Station Hill development in Reading, which has been cordoned off since the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 11:40 GMT. Video footage from social media shows a person being lifted by a crane from the roof of a building, providing a quick and safe exit for the trapped worker. Applause from a crowd below can be heard.
The blaze, which created a huge amount of black smoke, has now been put out by the fire service. South Central Ambulance Service said two people were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation, but neither case was severe. Local residents and businesses are being urged to avoid the area, stay indoors, and keep windows closed.
According to Peter, who runs a local café, the fire was “really quite dramatic – thick billowing smoke, and lots of flames.” Aaron, a bystander at the scene, said it was the “most devastating thing” he had seen in his life. “I thought the flames and smoke were going to break the glass,” he added.
Redwood Consulting, representing the Station Hill redevelopment project, said: “We activated our fire emergency plans immediately, the emergency services were notified and are currently on site. The safety of those on site and the wider public is always our first priority, and the site has been evacuated as a result.
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