Firefighters from five stations battle roof fire at Bourne End home

Firefighters from five stations across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire were called to a blaze in the roof of a home in Bourne End on Saturday.

Cores End Road was shut while emergency services, including police and seven fire engines from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Bucks Fire and Rescue, fought the flames.

Firefighters were still at the scene late on Saturday evening. Bucks Fire and Rescue did not say whether a cause for the fire has yet been identified.

A nearby resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said they had dialled 999 and saw ‘sparking and smoke’ coming from the building at around 11.45am.

The resident said: “As I got closer, flames started to come out of an upstairs room. 

"I called the fire brigade, who had been alerted. But as I was talking to them, I think some electrical cables caught fire.

"Then, there was a lot of sparking and smoke."

They added: “It’s such a terrible thing to happen for whoever lives there, especially with Christmas coming up.”

A statement from Bucks Fire and Rescue said: “Seven appliances and crews (including a turntable ladder and command unit) and three officers attended at the height of the fire.

“The crews were from: Beaconsfield, Maidenhead, Slough, High Wycombe and Gerrards Cross.

“A fire was located within a residential building. The firefighters used seven sets of breathing apparatus, three hose reel jets, a 10.5 metre ladder and a thermal imaging camera.

“They also reinspected the property later that evening to check for hot spots.”