The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is investigating a large industrial fire at a business unit on Milford Road in Reading, Berkshire. The blaze began late on Sunday 1 February 2026 and is the subject of an ongoing RBFRS investigation.
Crews from nine Berkshire stations, supported by teams from neighbouring services and using an aerial ladder platform and specialist pumps, worked for more than 16 hours to extinguish the fire at units on the Milford Road industrial estate. A 200m cordon was put in place during the response because of concerns about gas canisters in the premises.
Paramedics assessed one person who suffered minor hand and facial burns; that individual later attended the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading for further assessment, local reporting says. Emergency services confirmed there were no other serious injuries.
The blaze produced large plumes of black smoke that were visible across parts of the town. RBFRS advised residents and local businesses in the immediate area to keep windows and doors shut while crews tackled the fire. Reading Borough Council has said it is working with partners to monitor air quality and coordinate any environmental checks; agencies are also liaising about potential impacts to the nearby River Thames.
RBFRS said the scene was scaled back and declared secure on 3 February 2026, but investigators remain at the site to determine the cause and to assess structural safety. Several local businesses on Milford Road, including automotive and printing-related firms, have reported significant smoke damage and are assessing losses. Network Rail monitored the situation because of the estate’s proximity to the railway, and local services were reported to have been briefly affected while emergency crews worked near the tracks.
Fire investigators are continuing forensic enquiries to establish the origin of the fire and why it spread. The affected part of the industrial estate remains closed to allow safety inspections before premises are reoccupied.
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