Reading MP Matt Rodda has called for an urgent investigation into health and safety at a Reading building after the second fire in four months.
Dozens of fire crews from around Berkshire raced to the scene on Thursday after a major fire and a dramatic rescue of workers took place.
Mr Rodda said: “This is the second fire at the site. The first fire broke out on 7th of July 2023. During the demolition phase of Station Hill, there was a scaffolding collapse in Garrard Street on the 1st of August 2019. Three people were injured in this collapse. The Health and Safety Executive opened an investigation into the 2019 scaffolding collapse, but I cannot find their report on the collapse.”
In his letter to the HSE, Mr Rodda wrote:
Dear Sarah Albon,
I am writing to ask if the HSE could investigate the management of health and safety at a major construction site in Reading, following a serious fire at the site.
As you may have seen, there was a large fire at Station Hill in Reading town centre yesterday (23rd November 2023).
Workers at this site were injured and some had a very lucky escape, with one worker being hoisted away from the top of a tower block seconds before he was about to be engulfed in smoke and flames. At least two workers were taken to hospital. However, this serious incident is not the first one at this building site. I understand that this is the second fire to have broken out in the last five months.
I am concerned, therefore, that there may be a more widespread failure of health and safety at the site. I hope you will be able to investigate these incidents. I look forward to hearing from you.
Following the incident, Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer issued a statement to thank all those involved in responding to the incident.
Mr Bowcock said: “Following today’s fire in Reading town centre, I would like to add my thanks to the crane operator for an incredibly skilful rescue under extremely difficult circumstances. Without their actions, we may be looking at an entirely different scenario.
“On behalf of the Service, I would like to extend our best wishes to the two people who were rescued from the building and wish them a speedy recovery.
“At the height of the fire, more than 50 of our firefighters and officers attended the scene rapidly and worked quickly and aggressively, with support from Police, Ambulance and other partners to extinguish the fire, which, as you can see from the footage had developed into a substantial fire.
“Thank you for the professionalism and dedication shown by all responders, as well as members of the Reading community for your patience and messages of support.”
