Residents jump from 12ft windows as ‘massive explosion’ at flats kills one and others missing with man held for murder
RESIDENTS leapt 12ft from a third floor window to escape a "ferocious" flat fire which killed one and left several others unaccounted for.
The "massive explosion" sparked panic among those living in the block in Reading, Berkshire, in the early hours of this morning before the blaze erupted.
One resident said he made a "miracle" escape after jumping from the third storey.
The man, who walked barefoot with a bandage on one of his feet, told The Sun: " It was utterly horrific.
"I was woken by the fire alarm going off and opened my flat door to a huge amount of smoke.
"Then there was all of those loud bangs, like explosions.
"I was terrified. It was chaos. People were screaming and yelling.
"I heard people were jumping from windows so I did.
"It’s a miracle I am alive. I thought I was going to die. It was hellish."
He said he landed safely but hurt his leg, adding: "I thought it was better to break my leg than die."The fire broke out off Grovelands Road at about 3am, and police have arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of arson and murder.
Neighbours living a short distance from the block today told of hearing shouts and screams during the chaos.
One resident said: "There was a lady stuck in there waving a white hanky out the window. She was rescued by firefighters."
Another of the same road said she thought the sound of breaking glass from the the crackling fire was someone smashing bottles in the car park.
"The flames coming out of the roof were extremely ferocious. No wonder the roof has collapsed," she said.
Yvonne and Nathaniel Scale said their daughter had been the one to raise the alarm and call the fire brigade after feeling the house shake.
Yvonne said: "She woke up to a loud bang. She said she felt the whole house shake from the force of it and she quickly rang the fire brigade.
"We thought that it must have been a gas explosion, we couldn't believe that it was arson until we saw the news. It really was a massive explosion."
'EXTREMELY FEROCIOUS'
The fire has left the flats a shattered ruin, with water having to be drawn from all across the quiet residential area to allow firefighters to extinguish the inferno.
Viorica Bercea, who saw the fire from her bedroom said: "There was a police helicopter overhead as well and the firefighters were having to get water from everywhere, even the church, to fight the flames, it was a big fire."
The area has been cordoned off since about 3am, and the public have been told to stay away.
Cops have also told residents to contact loved ones living nearby.
Photos from the scene show flames and smoke billowing out of a block of flats, some of which are believed to have been destroyed.
The acrid smell of burning plaster and plastic this morning lingered in the air around the four-storey building, where layers of wall and roof tiles have been ripped away and windows have shattered.
The incident is not being treated as terror-related, Thames Valley Police said.
A Police spokesperson said: "Local agencies are working together at the scene of a large fire at a property in Grovelands Road, Reading.
"Our officers, as well as the fire and ambulance services, are at the site.
"Sadly, one person is believed to have died, and a number of others are unaccounted for.
"Officers have arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of arson and murder and he is in custody at this time.
"The incident is not being treated as terrorism related. Road closures are in place, and people are asked to avoid the area at this time.
"If you have any concerns, for loved ones, please try and contact them in the first instance.
"A dedicated number is being set up for this, and details will follow very shortly."
The Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "We are in attendance and dealing with an incident in Grovelands Road in Reading. Please avoid the area."
And a spokesperson for the South Central Ambulance Service said: "We are currently attending a major incident in Grovelands Road, Reading, with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Thames Valley Police.
"Please avoid the area."
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