House fire being treated as arson

Shaw Hill in Newbury and two lanes of the M4 at Chieveley re-open after two fires

A HOUSE fire in Newbury in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday) is being treated as arson.

Fire fighters were called to Dolmans on Shaw Hill at 5.07 to tackle the substantial fire with six engines attending.

Royal Berkshire Fire spokeswoman, Nicole Targett, said the fire was believed to have been started deliberately.

A total 34 fire fighters battled the blaze, which destroyed 50 per cent of the ground and first floor of the house, subject to proposals for conversion into flats, with two pumps remaining at the scene.

The road was closed between Love Lane and Kiln Road and is still closed (as of 9.45am).

Meanwhile two lanes of the eastbound M4 at junction 13 Chieveley are closed after a DAF cement tanker caught fire.

Police were called at 7.17am to the incident, with the closure still in place (as of 9.30am) and causing significant tailbacks of traffic.

No other vehicles were involved and no-one was hurt.

The closure is likely to remain in place for some time, while an examination of the road for any damage is carried out by the Highways Agency.

UPDATE - 12.07PM

The two eastbound lanes of the M4 at junction 13 closed due to the tanker fire re-opened at around 12pm today (Aug 10).

Shaw Hill remains closed.

UPDATE - 2.50PM

Shaw Hill, Newbury is currently being re-opened, according to Thames Valley Police