WATER has returned to families in Mortimer after a devastating blaze broke out at Wokefield Park last night.

The 37 properties in the village had been completely cut off or are suffering from lower pressure than normal in the wake of the fire at the De Vere Hotel.

Thames Water say the problems was due to huge pressure on the network causing a pipe to burst in The Street as firefighters needed a huge volume of water to tackle the flames.

The pipe has since been fixed.

As previously reported 12 crews from across Berkshire, Hampshire and Surrey were called to the 18th Century hotel and events complex at 5.30pm last night.

No one was hurt in the blaze but around 230 guests and conference visitors were evacuated and the flames caused severe damage to the venue but crews on the ground say parts of the building are likely to collapse.

A Thames Water spokeswoman apologised for any inconvenience caused to homes affected and said: “The large volume of water needed by the Fire Service attending the Wokefield Park incident meant there was a sudden increase in water pressure, which can cause pipes to burst. We’ve got a team in the area ready to begin the repair and will keep working throughout the day until the pipe is fixed and supplies are back to normal.”

The alarm was raised at 5.30pm on Thursday afternoon when the blaze broke out in a linen cupboard on the ground floor before quickly spreading to the roof.

One firefighter at the scene told the Chronicle last night: "Our tactic now is to stop it from spreading to the other parts of the hotel.

"We are as confident as we can be based on the information provided that there was no one inside the building.

"We will be here all night and at some point part of the building is going to collapse.

At 1pm on Thursday an updated statement on behalf of the fire service said the fire had been fully brought under control but the crews were likely to remain in place through until Friday morning ensuring that hot spots are kept at bay.

 

More than 50 firefighters battled the blaze into the night and crews had to use a specialist aerial appliance vehicle, which can reach up to 100 feet in the air are seeking to limit damage using a high powered water bowser.

Sections of one of the hotel's wings containing bedrooms remain alight as the fire continues to burn through the property.

Ellie Gray, a spokesperson for the fire service, said: "A total of 12 Royal Berkshire Fire and Resuce Service pumps are currently in attendance, Whitely Wood, Dee Road, Caversham road, Wokingham Road, Bracknell, Wokingham, Ascot and Newbury plus four form Hampshire Fire and Rescue Servie along with an aerial appliance and water bowser."

Crews from Hampshire Fire and Rescue stations including Basingstoke, Tadley, Kingsclere and Rushmoor.

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Officers from Thames Valley Police have closed off Bloomfield Hatch Lane to traffic while firefighters continue their efforts.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance service confirmed they had staff on scene but that no one had been injured to their knowledge.

He said: "We are vey much in the background because there are no casualties as far as we know."

*** Click here to see more pictures.

A spokesman speaking on behalf of the hotel said: “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. We will provide further information as it becomes available.”

The scene of the fire.

Are you at the scene, do you know someone who was evacuated? Call us on 0118 955 3311