Teenager, 17, arrested after severe house fire in Calcot

A teenage boy has been arrested following a house fire that severely damaged three homes.

Several residents in the terrace had to leave after the fire started in Red Cottage Drive in Calcot, Reading, shortly before midnight on Thursday.

Thames Valley Police said the 17-year-old from Calcot remains in police custody on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

The fire service said vehicles, and a caravan were also damaged in the fire.

People were asked to keep windows and doors shut overnight and through Friday morning by the fire service.

The fire was brought under control and put out in the early hours of the morning.

South Central Ambulance Service treated several people at the scene but nobody was seriously injured, Thames Valley Police said.

Matt Hoult from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) said: "On arrival crews were confronted with a very dynamic and developed fire."

People who had to leave their homes were given temporary shelter at Calcot Infants School.

Councillor Biyi Oloko, from West Berkshire Council, said: "I'm here to support the residents as best as I can.

"It's a very unfortunate situation… thankfully no lives have been lost… anything else can be replaced.

"The first thing is the people who have lost their houses need accommodation, that needs to be sorted out as a matter of urgency, and I'm sure the council already has provisions for this and that will kick into place."

In a statement, housing association One Housing, which manages the properties, said: "Our team has been working to support customers with temporary accommodation and financial support for those who have been unable to return to their home.

"For those neighbouring residents who have been allowed back into their homes, we are assessing any repairs required."

At its height, more than 50 firefighters were at the scene and a number of them are expected to remain on Friday along with police to investigate the cause of the blaze.

Thames Valley Police is appealing for anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dash-cam footage around the time of the fire to contact them.

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