A serious fire has broken out at Wokefield Park Hotel near Mortimer this evening and has been described by an eye witness as an “inferno”.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) was called to the fire at 5.30pm this evening.
A total of 12 RBFRS pumps are currently in attendance – Whitley Wood, Dee Road, Caversham Road, Wokingham Road, Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot and Newbury, plus four from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, along with an aerial appliance and water bowser.
The fire started in a linen area on the ground floor and spread to the roof. The hotel has been evacuated.
The Army are on the scene and have posted this video (which they shot from a safe distance):
Wokefield Park in Reading @BBCNews @itvnews pic.twitter.com/XGiuoo7Zk2
— The British Army (@ArmySTBA) November 11, 2015
@meachi5 Golf buggy accident again? #WokefieldPark pic.twitter.com/pDHkqKINqg — Ryan Saunders (@thesaundersway) November 11, 2015
We understand all guests have been safely evacuated and the blaze broke out around 5.30pm this evening.
Burak Sezgin tweeted: “absolute inferno at the Executive Building at Wokefield Park. Helicopters, Fire Engines, Police…the lot. Looks like a bad one”
Police have closed roads around the hotel to avoid members of the public getting caught up in the blaze.
According to the Daily Express, Davies Turner, which represents Wokefield Park, has released a statement:
“We can confirm that there has been a fire within a section of Wokefield Park. Our priority at this time is the safety of our guests and staff and we are working very closely with the Fire Brigade who are onsite now.”
Here’s a kind offer from House of Fisher, which offers accommodation in Reading.
Any guests seeking alternative accommodation RE the sad news on Wokefield Park we’d be happy to support where possible, please get in touch
— Gareth Hughes (@Gareth_HOF) November 11, 2015
Wokefield Park is a big venue and a lot of people have affection for it, as witnessed in some of the tweets tonight:
Really hope no-one is hurt in the #Wokefield Park fire, stay safe all, good luck firefighters, you are fantastic X
— Fiona ‘Foo’ Matthews (@SandersFoo) November 11, 2015
WOKEFIELD PARK is burning, such a sad day, praying everyone escapes unharmed. Such a lovely venue, it will be a loss pic.twitter.com/2HRlAlIboI — ITM Event Production (@ITMAV) November 11, 2015
Just hearing the news about @WokefieldPark, hoping everyone is ok 🙁
— Trunkwell House (@Trunkwell) November 11, 2015
Wokefield park’s on fire ??
— Hannah (@haannahhawkins) November 11, 2015
Were sending our love and best wishes to EVERYONE at De Vere Wokefield Park this evening. That you are ALL SAFE… https://t.co/0syuCztVBt — Village Eye Magazine (@VillageEyeMag) November 11, 2015
@KatyAustinNews Ooo #Wokefield park hotel not far from me, I pass it on a regular basis. Quite a nice hotel, hope people safe & sound.
— David Porter (@news_fanatic) November 11, 2015
More on this as we get it.
