Update posted at 1:50pm on Wednesday, 30 September
Following a reinspection this morning, our crews have now left the scene of the incident on Colthrop Lane in Thatcham.
Local roads and businesses are open as normal. Thank you for your co-operation and patience while we responded to this incident.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service led the multi-agency emergency response phase of this incident. Decisions were taken in conjunction with a range of partners, including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), Local Authority, Police and Environment Agency (EA).
In the initial phase of the emergency, the public were advised to avoid the area and keep windows and doors closed as a precautionary measure to reduce the potential impact from smoke.
When we were confident that the fire had been contained, and there was not an immediate risk to responders, the public or the environment the incident moved into the recovery phase. This phase is led by the local authority, with continued support from partner agencies including the fire service.
The cause of the fire has been recorded as accidental, with the origin of the fire being a battery.
Original update, posted at 9:44am on Tuesday, 29 September
At 7:38pm on Monday, 28 September, we received reports of a fire on Colthrop Lane in Thatcham.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Wokingham Road, Newbury, Hungerford, Mortimer, Ascot, Slough, Langley and Theale fire stations were sent to the scene alongside four Officers.
They were joined at the scene by the ‘Zetros’ Water Carrier from Bracknell Fire Station, an Incident Command Unit from Maidenhead Fire Station and the Aerial Ladder Platform from Whitley Wood Fire Station. Crews from Oxfordshire, Dorset & Wiltshire and Hampshire & Isle of Wight fire and rescue services were also sent to the scene.
On arrival, crews discovered a large fire in a recycling centre involving approximately 150 tonnes of assorted batteries.
Firefighters used two hose reel jets, hose reels, a light portable pump, the ‘Zetros’ Water Carrier and the Aerial Ladder Platform to extinguish the fire.
Crews were at the scene for approximately 25 hours before returning twice to reinspect the building for hotspots. The scene was then handed over to the site manager and the Environment Agency.