A BEDROOM has been completely destroyed in a flat fire which saw dozens of people evacuate the smoking building.

The flames broke out in a second floor home in Avon Place, east Reading, while the owner was out.

Three fire crews raced to the scene where they found around 30 residents outside the block of flats with smoke billowing from the windows at around 1.30pm today.

Four firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the flat and doused the blaze using two hose reels.

Damage was contained to the flat where the fire broke out and further checks confirmed the flames had not spread beyond the bedroom.

The cause remains unknown and a full fire investigation has been opened.

Watch manager Darren Barrett, of Wokingham Road station, said: "On arrival smoke was issuing from the second floor float and two firefighters in breathing apparatus were committed.

"There was a hundred per cent fire damage in the bedroom and a hundred per cent smoke damage to the rest of the flat.

"A lot of residents were already out due to the amount of smoke before we arrived.

"We did house to house enquiries to make sure they was not other damage on injuries."