A major fire ripped through a hotel complex last night, after starting in a ground floor linen cupboard.
Wokingham fire fighters joined crews from Reading, Hampshire and Surrey to tackle the blaze at Wokefield Park Hotel. Police forces closed surrounding roads and the flames could be seen from nearby Beech Hill.
It is thought that the fire started after 5pm on Wednesday and, at the height of the blaze more than 75 fire fighters were on the scene tackling the blaze in a dramatic bid to protect the main hotel area, which dates back to the 18th century.
Fire fighters surrounded the blazing building with main water jets. It is reported that at one point, part of the roof fell into the building and fire fighters were ordered to withdrew for their own safety.
Photographer Paul King said: “The heat from the fire made the building very weak and unsafe and large cracks were seen as crews were fighting the fire. There was a sound of a big crash as the main roof area crashed into the inside of the burning building.”
Guests were evacuated safely and there were no injuries reported. We understand that they were all found alternative accommodation.
Our photographer, Paul King, was on the scene for much of the evening.
He said: “The whole place was an inferno. The fire crews used main water jets to fight the fire and a platform fire engine to fight the flames from above. You could see the flames from the road and the flames were about 50ft into the air.
“The blaze could be seen from nearby Beech Hill Road in Beech Hill. Police blocked off roads so fire engines could go back and forth to fill their fire engine with water, as fire crews had a big shortage of water on the hotel site to fight the fire. A team of ambulance crews stood by at the fire scene.”
Twelve crews were called out to the blaze initially, but this was scaled back to six by 11.30pm last night. However, crews are expected to be on site tackling the blaze today.
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.”
Wokefield Park Hotel is owned by the De Vere group and is situated in 250 acres of land. The luxury hotel and conference centre includes a golf course, mud buggies and high ropes and a swimming pool. It’s also a popular venue for weddings.
The Mansion House dates back to the 18th century and looks like something out of a period drama. The website says that it has been “sympathetically restored to retain its original architectural character and its interior effortlessly combines opulent colours, lavish fabrics and period detailing with the very latest in technology”.
