HSE begins investigation of Reading fire at McAlpine site
8/12/23
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched an investigation into the fire at a high-rise under construction in Reading on Thursday.
More than 50 firefighters and aerial equipment were needed to extinguish the fire at the Sir Robert McAlpine site.
Two workers were taken to hospital after being rescued from the burning building by a crane.
MP for Reading East, Matt Rodda, wrote a letter to HSE's chief executive, Sarah Albon, expressing his concerns about what seems to be the second fire on the site and calling on the safety watchdog to investigate the incident.
"Workers at this site were injured and some had a very lucky escape, with one worker being hoisted away from the top of a tower block seconds before he was about to be engulfed in smoke and flames. At least two workers were taken to hospital," said Rodda in his letter.
"However, this serious incident is not the first at this building site. I understand that this is the second fire to have broken out in the last five months."
Source; Construction Management