Fears death toll from Reading ‘arson attack’ will rise as rescue hopes fade

One person has died and several others remain unaccounted for
John Dunne @jhdunne15 December 2021

Hopes are fading in a search and rescue operation at a block of flats gutted in a suspected arson attack that left one person dead and a number of others unaccounted for.

Superintendent Steve Raffield from Thames Valley Police told journalists near the scene in Reading, Berkshire on Wednesday that it was “highly unlikely” that any further survivors would be found at Rowe Court.

The building in Grovelands Road has been so badly damaged by fire that it is unstable.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson after the fatal blaze that broke out shortly before 3am on Wednesday.

Mr Raffield said: “We have been working alongside our partner agencies to do everything we can to find signs of life. Sadly it is highly unlikely we will find any further survivors in the building.”

Four people have been treated in hospital following a fire in Reading, the ambulance service has confirmed.

Damage to a property in Grovelands Road
PA Wire

Mark Ainsworth, operations director at South Central ambulance service, speaking at the scene, said: “Sadly, we have confirmed one person has died and a number of others are missing.

“In addition, we have treated four patients in hospital and seven patients were treated at the scene of the incident.”

Tom Price, 40, who lives in a nearby building, described hearing a “massive explosion” and seeing smoke billowing from the flats.

He said: “People were leaping from their windows – I know one lady jumped from a high floor.

“There were screams and shouts and glass was being smashed.

“The flames went on for hours but the police and fire engines were here so quick.”

One resident who lives in the building told reporters that he and a firefighter made a desperate leap from his third-floor flat after becoming trapped.

Walking barefoot with a bandage on one of his feet, he told reporters: “I was involved in the incident – I live in the flat on the third floor of the building.

One person has died in the suspected arson attack
PA

“I was woken up by an alarm and heard a loud explosion. I heard the people inside screaming and shouting – I think they were my neighbours.

“I opened the door of my flat and saw a big cloud of smoke – and saw that the exit was trapped.

“A firefighter then came in and told me the building was on fire and to leave it now, so I jumped out of the window and so did he – it’s about 12ft.

“I landed OK but hurt my leg. I think the firefighter is in hospital, but I thought it was better to break my leg than die. I think it’s a miracle how it all happened.”

Michael, 50, who lives opposite the building and did not wish to give his full name, said that the fire broke out in the side of the building.

“I have a great view of the building and was woken at around 3am to all the commotion,” he said.

“I saw it pretty early on, the flames were coming from the side of the building and engulfed all the other flats and the roof.

“People were shouting and screaming – it was chaotic.”

Emergency services remained at the scene into Wednesday, with police, ambulance crews and firefighters working at the badly damaged building.

The force said the incident is not being treated as terror-related and urged people to avoid the area, where road closures are in place.

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