READING Station was today evacuated following a fire in the building's control room.

Up to four crews from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Caversham entrance of the station which saw platforms 14 and 15 cordoned off by police while firefighters from across the borough and Wokingham tackled the blaze.

Crews used thermal imaging equipment to control the flames which saw plumes of black smoke rise high above the station.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Lloyd Palmer said: “We were called to the scene at 2.48pm following reports of a fire in the control room. There was smoke when we arrived due to it turning out to be an electrical based fire.”

Reading Station manager David Martin said although there were no cancellations, he could not guarantee there would not be delays as a direct result of the fire.

He said: “There was afire below the control room it was a small electrical fire we evacuated the building at approximately 14.40pm we closed the platforms as precaution.”

Firefighters are still at the scene however, the Caversham entrance to the station has now been reopened.