FIRE crews are urging residents to avoid the area as they tackle a blaze at a community pavilion on Sunday morning (July 10).

Posting to Facebook, Tadley Fire Station wrote: "We are currently in attendance at a Pavilion fire in Silchester.

"Please avoid the area to enable crews to work."

A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Firefighters from Tadley, Basingstoke and RBFRS are currently tackling a fire involving a wooden sports pavilion on Pamber Road in Silchester. 

"Control room operators took the first call at 8.38am and due to the information provided, mobilised further crews to the incident. 

"The roof of the single-storey building which was also used as a cafe, was well alight as firefighters arrived and began a salvage operation. 

"Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters have now extinguished the roof blaze using jets and hose reels, and are now stripping back the roof’s tiles to check for fire spread. 

"Please avoid the area as crews continue to resolve the incident."

They added that there have been no reports of casualties or people involved, and that the cause of the fire has not yet been established.

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