Purley acetylene cylinder fire closes access along River Thames

Spokeswoman for the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), Nicole Targett, said three fire appliances, including two from Reading and one from Pangbourne, together with a small command vehicle (Reading) and a number of specialist officers, were called at 6.43am , to Mapledurham Lock, where two large sheds, measuring 20m x 20m, were on fire.
One of the sheds contained an acetylene cylinder and a 200m cordon was placed around this area and remained in place for 24 hours.
A jet of water was used to cool down the cylinder, the temperature of which was monitored until officers were satisfied that it no longer posed any danger.
No homes were affected by the cordon.
A number of footpaths falling within the cordon area were closed during the incident.
The RBFRS was using booms to ensure that the water run-off from the incident did not contaminate the river.
The RBFRS closed the incident this afternoon (Tuesday)
The Environment Agency (EA) confirmed the Thames River closure applies to Mapledurham Lock only.
In addition to this closure, the RBFRS put in place a 200m exclusion zone around the site of the fire. However river traffic will still be able to access Purley Marina from downstream as this lies outside the exclusion zone.
There is also a (separate) lock closure at Whitchurch Lock due to pre-planned building work on a nearby bridge, according to the EA