People affected by the fire in Rowe Court are to be provided “temporary respite accommodation”.

Reading Borough Council informed the media at a press briefing earlier today that the authority is working to set up temporary accommodation.

Jason Brock, leader of RBC, said: “Council officers are working alongside other agencies to set up temporary respite accommodation and support for local residents and neighbours where it is needed.

“It goes without saying that we will continue to provide whatever support is necessary in the days and the weeks to come, and through the Christmas period and beyond.”

It comes after a huge fire ripped through the building of Rowe Court in Grovelands Road at 3am this morning (December 15).

Firefighters and emergency services rushed to the scene and are carrying out a rescue operation to find those unaccounted for.

Four people have been treated in hospital and one person has died.

A man from Reading has been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson and remains in police custody at this time.