Staff evacuated from Reading town centre office after car fire
Smoke from the burning car started coming into the Network Rail office
The car's driver pulled into the car park of TGI Friday's in Reading. Photo by Google Maps
Staff at Network Rail in Reading had to be evacuated from their office after Storm Eleanor’s strong winds blew smoke from a fire towards them.
A car had caught fire and the driver pulled in to the car park close to TGI Fridays in Vastern Road Reading, Berkshire.
The blustery weather conditions meant the smoke made its way into the Network Rail office in Caversham Road, and workers had to spend a short time in the chilly winds on Wednesday, January 3.
Read more: Emergency repairs to Oxford Road store after Storm Eleanor damages roof
When the crew from Dee Road fire station arrived the car, a Ford Galaxy, was well alight.
Firefighters using hosereels and wearing breathing apparatus were able to put out the fire quickly, but the car was destroyed.
The crews then used “natural ventilation” to let the smoke out of the office’s windows, before the staff were allowed back in to the office.
Read more: Apres Ski Bar battered as Storm Eleanor rages through Reading
The team from Dee Road were called at around 1.30pm and the whole operation took around half an hour.
