22/06/2025
Stock photo of a RBFRS fire engine
Ten people were rescued from the three-storey burning building in the small hours of Sunday - several people were evacuated and two people were hospitalised as a result of a car set alight.
Update: Ten people had to be rescued from a burning building in the small hours of the morning in Slough High Street yesterday (Sunday) - and two people were hospitalised - after a related arson attack.
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) heard reports of the fire at about 1.20am.
Crews from Slough, Langley, Maidenhead and Windsor fire stations were sent, alongside four officers and an Operational Support Unit from Whitey Wood Fire Station.
An OSU is a support appliance, usually a large van or truck stocked with specialist equipment, dispatched alongside standard fire engines to assist at significant or prolonged incidents.
Officers, meanwhile, are also dispatched to major or complex incidents that require a great deal of coordination.
Upon arrival, crews discovered a car fire that had spread to a three-storey building. A black Land Rover was destroyed, and the building is damaged.
The fire was started behind the buildings on Grove Parade, to the rear of Slough High Street, at around 1.10am.
Firefighters equipped with breathing apparatus rescued 10 people from the building before extinguishing the fire.
Two people were placed in the care of South Central Ambulance Service at the scene. They suffered smoke inhalation and were taken to hospital, but they have since been discharged or left hospital by their own volition.
Crews were there for approximately three hours and 15 minutes before handing the scene over to Thames Valley Police.
Several residents were evacuated but they have since returned to their homes.
A scene watch has been in place while police and the fire service investigate - and now police are looking for witnesses to an arson.
Detective Inspector Sarah Roxburgh said: “I understand this arson will be concerning but we are working with our colleagues at Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service to investigate the cause and bring those responsible to justice.
“I am appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information about it to please come forward.
“If you have CCTV cameras in the area or if you were driving in the area with a dash-cam, I’d also ask that you check your recordings in case it has captured something that could assist our investigation.
“To contact us, call 101 or make a report on our website, quoting reference number 43250309324.
“Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.”