More than 50 firefighters were called to fight the blaze at Station Hill in Reading
By Charlotte Andrews & James Aldridge
BBC News, Reading
An MP has asked experts to look into the cause of a fire at a high-rise building “as a matter of urgency”.
Flames engulfed part of the Station Hill site in Reading last month, prompting a crane operator to winch a worker to safety.
Matt Rodda, MP for Reading East, spoke with the director of the investigation division at the The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on Friday.
He said the fire had “caused a great deal of concern” in the community.
Mr Rodda added he would be following up on his enquiry in the New Year.
The fire broke out at the One Station Hill building, which will be used as rentable offices once complete
Firefighters were called to the One Station Hill building at about 11:40 GMT on 23 November.
Shortly after, video footage emerged on social media showing a person being rescued from the roof of a building by a crane.
Glen Edwards was operating the crane and said it had been a “very close call” due to swirling winds.
The 65-year-old, from Egham, Surrey was dubbed “the Bruce Willis of Reading” following the rescue.
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation.
Image source, BPM Media
Glen Edwards had been working at the site before the blaze broke out
Investigations are already being carried out by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS).
Deputy chief fire officer Mark Arkwell promised it would undertake an “invasive” inspection.
Cllr Jason Brock, the leader of Reading Borough Council, also addressed the incident in an interview with the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
He said: “I know that the Health and Safety Executive have been in and are looking over things, as rightly they should.
“We await further reports – but I do sincerely hope that the developer [is] taking [its] health and safety obligations seriously.”
A representative for the Station Hill development confirmed internal and external investigations were ongoing.
A spokesperson said the safety of those on site and the wider public was its top priority and said “no one was seriously injured” during the incident.
“We are currently working with our construction partners as well as the relevant authorities to establish the cause of the incident and will provide a further update upon the conclusion of this investigation,” they added.
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