Fire risk 'lessons learned' after crane rescue blaze

An investigation into a blaze in a high-rise building while it was under construction has said sites should make sure there are "sufficient measures" to manage fire risks.

A worker on the Station Hill development in Reading was rescued by crane operator Glen Edwards when it caught fire in November 2023.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said "hot work" – jobs which require open fires, flames or the application of heat – should be "designed out wherever possible".

The building is set to open to tenants, including PepsiCo, on Saturday.

The fire broke out shortly before midday on 23 November 2023, with plumes of thick black smoke visible for miles across Reading.

Mr Edwards, who was dubbed the "Bruce Willis of Reading", won a BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference award for his quick thinking.

Two people were treated for smoke inhalation after the incident.

The former NCP car park in Garrard Street was demolished to make way for the block, which was first given planning approval by Reading Borough Council in January 2021.

The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service has been asked to provide the cause of the blaze.

"To prevent future occurrences and develop best practice, the construction industry has shared lessons learned from this incident," the HSE's spokesperson said.

"This includes raising awareness that hot works should be designed out wherever possible, in order to eliminate fire risk.

"Those working on construction sites should ensure there are suitable and sufficient measures to manage the risk from fire."

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