Emergency services explain Boxing Day fire that caused smoke over Thatcham

Emergency services have today given more information on the smoke that was spotted over Thatcham last week.

The fire services were called to an incident involving an aflame shed on Boxing Day, which was already "well alight" upon arrival.

It has since said that, after sending two crews to the scene on Pound Lane, the structure was “completely destroyed”.

The fire sparked attention on social media after considerable smoke was spotted on the afternoon of December 26 above the Henwick area.

A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “At 3.19pm on Sunday, December 26, we received reports of a fire on Pound Lane in Thatcham.

“Two Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) crews from Newbury Fire Station and two Officers were sent to the scene of the incident.

“Upon arrival, crews found that a detached shed was already well alight and four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used a single jet to supress the fire. The structure was completely destroyed.

“RBFRS crews were on the scene for around one hour and 15 minutes.”

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said that officers were notified of the fire but “there was no need for police to attend”.