Major incident underway as explosions rock Colthrop Business Park near Thatcham
Emergency services are responding to a major incident at Colthrop Business Park near Thatcham following a series of explosions that began at 8pm on 28 September 2026 and continued for at least 35 minutes.
The industrial estate, located off the A4 between Junctions 12 and 13 of the M4 motorway approximately 7 miles west of Reading, has been the scene of repeated blasts from a unit that appeared to be engulfed in flames. A massive plume of smoke could be seen billowing across the area.
Emergency response
Multiple crews from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, which operates from 16 fire stations covering 486 square miles across the county, attended the scene. Firefighters at the location were unable to confirm whether anyone had been injured in the incident.
Suspected cause and safety concerns
Unconfirmed reports from the scene suggested that lithium batteries were responsible for the explosions. If confirmed, this would involve a fire process known as thermal runaway, which generates extreme heat, flammable gases, and toxic smoke. Such fires present particular challenges for emergency responders as they are difficult to extinguish with conventional methods and can reignite even after appearing to be controlled.
Lithium-ion battery fires can release toxic fumes including hydrogen fluoride and heavy metals, which are harmful to respiratory tissue when inhaled. The smoke plume visible across the area raises concerns for nearby residents in Thatcham, a market town in West Berkshire with a population of 25,464 according to the 2021 census.
About the location
Colthrop is an industrial area that historically housed paper mills and now hosts numerous industrial parks and haulage depots, drawn to the location by its proximity to major transport links including the M4 motorway and Thatcham railway station.
Growing concerns over battery fires
Battery-related fires have become an increasing concern globally, with data showing approximately 5,000 fire incidents from failing lithium-ion batteries occurring annually. The problem is expected to intensify as demand for these batteries is projected to increase nearly seven-fold between 2022 and 2030.
In the UK, there is currently no single piece of legislation dedicated exclusively to industrial lithium-ion battery storage, though businesses must comply with multiple safety frameworks including Health and Safety Executive guidance, COSHH regulations, and fire safety requirements.
