A serious fire at a high-rise development in Reading has reignited urgent conversations across the construction and fire safety sectors about how fire risks are managed during the build phase of major projects — particularly when it comes to hot works.
The incident occurred at the Station Hill development in November 2023, while the building was still under construction. Thick black smoke poured from the site shortly before midday on 23 November, visible for miles across the town and prompting a large emergency response.
An official investigation published in June 2025 has now confirmed what many fire safety professionals have long warned: construction sites remain one of the highest-risk environments for serious fires, especially where temporary conditions, combustible materials, and hot work activities combine.
What Happened at Station Hill?
The Station Hill development occupies the former NCP car park on Garrard Street in Reading. Planning approval for the scheme was granted by Reading Borough Council in January 2021, with the site intended to deliver a large mixed-use development including commercial office space.
During construction, a fire broke out on the upper levels of the structure. While the precise ignition source has yet to be formally confirmed by Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, the circumstances immediately raised concerns about hot work controls.
Hot work — which includes welding, cutting, grinding, torch-on roofing, and any activity involving sparks, naked flames, or heat — is one of the most common causes of fires on construction sites.
A Rescue That Captured National Attention
The incident gained national attention when crane operator Glen Edwards carried out a dramatic rescue of a stranded worker, lifting them away from the flames using his crane. His quick thinking and calm response likely prevented serious injury or worse.
Mr Edwards was later dubbed the “Bruce Willis of Reading” and received a BBC Radio Berkshire Make a Difference Award in recognition of his bravery.
Two people were treated for smoke inhalation following the fire, underlining just how quickly construction fires can escalate — even before a building is occupied.
HSE: Hot Work Should Be “Designed Out”
Following the investigation, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) issued clear guidance to the industry. A spokesperson stated that hot work should be:
“Designed out wherever possible, in order to eliminate fire risk.”
Where hot work cannot be avoided, the HSE stressed the importance of suitable and sufficient control measures, including:
- Robust hot work permit systems
- Proper segregation of combustible materials
- Fire watches during and after works
- Adequate temporary fire detection and alarms
- Clear emergency procedures and site-wide communication
These measures are well-established best practice — yet incidents like this demonstrate how easily they can be overlooked under programme pressure.
Fire Risk During Construction: A Persistent Blind Spot
Unlike completed buildings, construction sites are constantly changing. Fire compartments may be incomplete, alarms may be temporary or absent, and escape routes can change daily. This makes dynamic fire risk assessment essential.
High-rise construction magnifies this risk. Vertical fire spread, limited access for firefighting, and reliance on temporary systems mean that a small ignition source can rapidly become a major incident.
The Station Hill fire has become a reference point for the industry — not just because of the dramatic rescue, but because it illustrates how fire risk management during construction must be proactive, not reactive.
A Timely Reminder for the Industry
The building is now set to open to tenants, including global firms such as PepsiCo, but the lessons from its construction phase will resonate far beyond Reading.
As the HSE noted:
“Those working on construction sites should ensure there are suitable and sufficient measures to manage the risk from fire.”
You can read the original BBC coverage of this incident here:
👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2k1dg81wp9o
Turning Lessons Into Action
Construction fires are not freak accidents — they are usually the result of foreseeable and manageable risks. Whether during construction, refurbishment, or maintenance works, fire safety must be treated as a live risk, not a compliance afterthought.
For developers, principal contractors, and duty holders, this incident reinforces the importance of:
- Early-stage fire risk planning
- Competent fire risk assessment
- Clear ownership of fire safety during works
- Ongoing monitoring as sites evolve
The Station Hill blaze serves as a stark reminder: fire safety must be built into projects from day one — not learned the hard way once smoke is already in the sky.
Turning Lessons Into Action: Don’t Wait for the Wake-Up Call
The Station Hill fire is a powerful reminder that fire risk during construction is not theoretical. It is real, fast-moving, and capable of placing lives, projects, and reputations at serious risk within minutes. While investigations and “lessons learned” are valuable, they only matter if they translate into practical action on live sites.
Too often, fire risk assessments during construction are generic, out of date, or treated as paperwork exercises. In reality, construction and refurbishment projects demand dynamic fire risk assessment, regularly reviewed as the site, activities, and risks change — particularly where hot works are involved.
Why Professional Fire Risk Assessment Matters on Construction Sites
A competent fire risk assessment during construction should:
- Identify high-risk activities such as hot work before they start
- Ensure risks are designed out wherever possible
- Put robust permit-to-work systems in place where hot work cannot be avoided
- Review temporary fire detection, alarms, and emergency procedures
- Confirm escape routes remain viable as the build progresses
- Provide clear responsibility for monitoring and compliance
When these elements are missing or poorly managed, incidents like the Reading blaze become far more likely.
How ESI: Fire Safety Can Help
ESI: Fire Safety works with developers, contractors, and duty holders across Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire, and the wider South East to provide practical, construction-aware fire safety support — not generic reports.
We support projects with:
- Fire Risk Assessments for construction and refurbishment phases
- Hot work risk reviews and control recommendations
- Support for Principal Contractors and Responsible Persons
- Clear, prioritised action plans aligned with real site conditions
- Ongoing compliance support as projects evolve
Our approach focuses on preventing incidents before they happen, not explaining them afterwards.
Act Before Fire Safety Becomes a Crisis
The Station Hill fire ended without fatalities thanks to quick thinking and good fortune. That is not a strategy — and it is not a defence.
If you are involved in a construction or refurbishment project and want confidence that fire risk is being actively managed, legally compliant, and defensible, now is the time to act.
👉 Contact ESI: Fire Safety to discuss a professional Fire Risk Assessment or construction fire safety support — and ensure your site never becomes the next “lessons learned” headline.