Emergency services were called to Red Cottage Drive in Calcot in the early hours of this morning. Thames Valley Police, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service are working throughout the night to tackle the fire and evacuate residents. Police have not reported any serious injuries at this time, but a triage center has been set up at Calcot Infant School for anyone displaced. Thames Valley Police said Red Cottage Road is completely closed at this time. More than 50 firefighters were at the scene at the height of the blaze, the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) told the BBC. “Two houses have been badly damaged and many others are affected,” they said. According to the website uksocialhousing.co.uk, there are reportedly 49 registered social housing properties in this area. Thames Valley Police tweeted at around 02:00 this morning: “At present a number of properties have been damaged by the fire and residents are being evacuated. No serious injuries have been reported at this time, but further evacuations are underway. “When residents arrive at the triage centre, please advise which property you are from, if your vehicle remains on Red Cottage Drive, any medication required and any pets left at the home address.” People in the surrounding area have been urged to keep their windows and doors closed while fire services tackle the blaze. The cause of the fire is not yet known. The latest fire comes a week after Britain suffered a wave of devastating bushfires that destroyed homes in the village of Wennington, east of London. Fire crews battled at least 22 blazes in England and Wales between 11am. and 5:30 p.m., and hundreds of smaller fires in vegetation.
