Homes evacuated in fire drama

Electrical fault triggers blaze

Residents were evacuated after a fire at a shopping parade in Tilehurst last night (Saturday).

The fire is thought to have been started by an electrical fault in air conditioning unit in one of the stores in Park Lane at about 9.50pm.

It then spread to the rear of the building, setting fire to a row of trees.

Fire fighters from Dee Road Fire Station Whitely Wood Fire Station tackled the blaze and evacuated the flats above the shops as a precaution.

Three fire crew doused the burning trees and put out the blaze in about 30 minutes.

The shops, in flats above and neighbouring properties had to be evacuated while fire crews fought the blaze.

Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 45 minutes.