Major Theale fire continues to be monitored

Firefighters set to monitor blaze Theale business park for 24 hours, although trains are running normally

TRAINS are running normally through Newbury and Reading following disruption earlier today (Monday) due to a major fire at an industrial park in Theale.

A thermal imaging robot was used by the London Fire Service to help with a blaze at Unit two at Kennet Weir in Arrowhead Road, that caused more than 100 people to be evacuated from nearby offices.

The blaze, which broke out at Alan Hadley Recycling and Waste Management in Kennet Weir Business Park at about 9.15am, caused an Acetylene gas cylinder to overheat.

A 200-metre cordon was enforced in case the cylinder, which is used for welding, exploded.

This resulted in the closure of Arrowhead Road, Brunel Road, and Waterside Road.

Speaking at the scene at about 1pm today, Lincoln Ball, station manager at the fire headquarters in Dee Road, Tilehurst, said: “We immediately put in place a 200m cordon from the business premises.

“We believe that this has affected about six businesses with about 100 to 150 people evacuated.

“Acetylene is a gas unlike any other which means the cylinder can self heat and inevitably goes bang. This can create a 25 meter fire ball.

“If we get indications that the cylinder is not self heating we can reduce the cordon but we will be here for 24 hours because it's a 24-hour operation.

“The robot is testing for heat and whether the cylinder is steaming off, it updates every fifteen minutes.

“The robot is specifically used for Acetylene gad cylinders and for explosives.”

He said that the cause of the fire was still being investigated.

The cordon was reduced to 50 metres at about 1.30pm and Network Rail has said trains are now running normally through Theale.

Ambulance crews were at the scene but there were no reported injuries.