Reading firefighters tackle blaze at student flats
Students at a block of flats in Reading had to be evacuated after a fire started in a kitchen area of the building last night (29th January).
Fire crews from Wokingham Road and Whitley Wood stations were called to Benyon Hall in Whitely at around 10.20pm, reports the Reading Post.
Two fire fighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames on the ground floor of the tower block before using pressure ventilation equipment to clear smoke from the second and third floors.
All the residents of the block were safely evacuated from the blaze, with no injuries reported.
A fire risk assessment - which aims to identify and negate any fire hazards - must be conducted on all commercial properties in England and Wales under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
If a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is not carried out, the Responsible Person faces up to two years in prison or an unlimited fine.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze has been launched.
Posted by Paul Clarke
