Suspected arson caused Hermitage fire

Police suspect blaze at workshop containing explosive acetylene cylinder was started deliberately

ARSONISTS are suspected of causing a fire in Hermitage last Thursday night (July 7), in which a workshop burnt to the ground.

The workshop, situated within a barn at the junction of Old Street and Priors Court Road, contained a highly explosive acetylene cylinder.

A nearby army base had to be almost entirely evacuated for the night as a result of the blaze, which also resulted in the closure of Priors Court Road for most of Friday.

Eighteen firefighters from Newbury, Hungerford and Tilehurst had been called to the scene at around 11.30pm on Thursday.

A spokeswoman for Thames Valley Police, Lucy Billen, confirmed yesterday (Tuesday) the fire was being treated as arson: "The neighbourhood policing team have been making house-to-house enquiries," she said, adding police investigations were continuing.

A spokesperson for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue, Nicole Targett added that the cause was, as yet, unknown.