Firefighters battle house fire for five hours

Firefighters battled for nearly five hours after a property caught alight.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) said it was called to Hartmead Road in Thatcham, Berkshire, at 17:53 BST on Monday.

Crews from RBFRS and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service (HIWFRS) put out the fire, which had also affected part of the neighbouring property.

There were no reports of any injuries, RBFRS said.

The fire service said crews from Newbury, Theale, Hungerford, Mortimer and Whitley Wood were sent to the scene.

"Eight firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus used two main jets, two hose reels, the Aerial Ladder Platform and the Water Carrier to put out the fire," the spokesperson said.

They said crews left the scene after four hours and 57 minutes, then returned for a reinspection later.

They found "a small amount of carpet smouldering" and dampened it down.

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