Firefighters battle roof blaze at £1.9m house

Blaze rips through roof of £1.9m property

FIREFIGTHERS tackled a blaze at a property in Snelsmore Common in the early hours of Sunday.

They worked throughout the night to ensure the building was made safe and nobody was hurt.

Although it is still unclear as to what caused the blaze, it started in the roof.

FIRE crews from stations across four different counties worked together for around 14 hours to tackle a blaze at a property in Snelsmore Common.

Emergency calls were made in the early hours of Sunday after Beau House in Wantage Road caught fire.

Fire appliances arrived at the property shortly after 12.32am and worked throughout the night to ensure the building was made safe.

The fire was controlled and eventually put out by teams from Berkshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire.

Although it is still unclear as to what caused the blaze, it did start in the roof of the property.

Beau House had been on the market for £1.95m with estate agent Strutt & Parker since November 25.

The agent described the house, close to the golf course entrance to Snelsmore Common, as being “situated in a spectacular setting with far-reaching views” and “a modern country family house presented to a very high standard throughout”.

It said: “The unusual Y-shaped layout boasts vaulted ceilings, exposed wooden beams, and offers plenty of natural light.”

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Two crews from Newbury and crews from Whitley Wood, Dee Road, Mortimer, Crowthorne and

Bracknell fire stations were sent to the scene, together with the Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead, the Operational Support Unit from Whitley Wood and crews from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service and Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.

“Firefighters in breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using four hose reels, before damping down the area for hotspots.

“All people were safely accounted for.

“Crews were initially on the scene for around 14 hours, before returning for re-inspections to ensure the fire was completely out.”

Picture by Ben Wood Fire crews spent 14 hours dealing with the blaze at the property in Snelsmore Common

Fire crews worked for 14 hours to put out the fire at Beau House

A firefighter works on the roof of the property in Snelsmore Common

Pictures by Ben Wood Fire appliances at the scene