This is the dramatic moment a man is winched to safety after a huge fire broke out in Reading town centre this morning.
Images and videos have emerged on social media showing thick black smoke spewing from an under construction building, near the town’s train station.
It is unknown whether anyone is still on the site or whether there has been any injuries.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue were called to fire near Napier Road in Reading at 11.38am this morning, with a number of crews and emergency service vehicles in attendance.
People have been told to avoid the area, with nearby locals told to close their windows and doors, as smoke can now from villages several miles away.
A huge fire has broken out in a busy town centre, sending clouds of smoke into the air
Images and videos have emerged on social media showing thick black smoke spewing from an under construction
It is unknown whether anyone is still on the site or whether there has been any injuries
A number of fire crews and emergency services are currently at the scene.
Office workers at Thames Tower, which is very close to the on fire construction site, saw the flames first hand and were asked to evacuated around 11.40am.
In a statement, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue said: ‘At 11:38am on Thursday, 23 November, we received reports of a fire near Napier Road in Reading.
‘A number of our crews are currently on the scene. While emergency services work, we ask that people avoid the area where possible and close windows and doors if you live or work nearby.
‘Thank you for your patience while we deal with this incident. Updates will continue to be provided through our website incident feed.’