A man in his 20s died following a fire near Rose Kiln Lane in Reading, Berkshire, on Thursday, 19 March 2026, after emergency services were called to the riverbank at around 6:48pm.
Firefighters from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service arrived from the Caversham Road station and found a fire burning outdoors. The crew used a CO2 extinguisher and a backpack extinguisher to put out the flames, remaining at the scene for more than three hours.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and Thames Valley Police are now treating the death as unexplained but not suspicious. Officers are looking into the circumstances and are currently preparing an official report for the coroner.
Two ambulances from the South Central Ambulance Service were sent to the area, with the first medical team arriving shortly after 7:00pm. During the emergency response, part of the road was closed where Rose Kiln Lane meets the A33 to allow crews to work safely.
The man’s family has been told and is being supported by specialist officers. Police have reassured residents in Katesgrove that they do not believe there is any wider risk to the community.
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