One person has died and two have been confirmed as missing after a fire in Reading, as police warned there were likely to be no more survivors.

A 31-year-old man from Reading was arrested on Wednesday morning on suspicion of arson and murder.

Thames Valley police said one person was known to have died in the blaze at the Rowe Court block of flats in Grovelands Road. Later on Wednesday the force said two people have been confirmed as missing.

It said: “Following an extensive search, during which all rescue opportunities were exhausted, we can sadly confirm that we do not expect there to be any more survivors. As confirmed earlier, we know that one person has tragically died. Two people have since been confirmed missing.”

Emergency services were at the scene overnight on Wednesday, with work set to begin on Thursday to assess the structural damage to the building.

Earlier, Doug Buchanan, an assistant chief fire officer with Royal Berkshire fire and rescue service, said 50 firefighters had been deployed and the team had rescued one resident from the building using a ladder. Emergency call handlers gave fire survival advice to another resident to enable them to safely exit the property.

He said the source of ignition had not yet been confirmed and was under investigation.

Four people were taken to hospital, two with serious injuries and another two in a non-life-threatening condition. Seven people were treated at the scene by the ambulance service.

A number of other people were evacuated from properties and were being looked after by local authorities, according to police.

Those affected by the fire would be provided “temporary respite accommodation” and support throughout the Christmas period and beyond, said Jason Brock, the leader of Reading borough council.

The fire service received its first report of the blaze at 2.51am. Upon arrival, crews found a fire affecting all levels of the four-storey block.

A neighbour, who did not know who lived in the building, said: “I was asleep this morning and we could smell and see black smoke pouring in the air.

“There’s been a bit of commotion. I’ve never seen so many police and fire engines in my life. The building has been really badly damaged – parts of the roof have been torn off, windows are smashed and smoke has been coming out of it for hours.”

Police said the incident was not being treated as terror-related and it urged people to avoid the area, with road closures in place.

Members of the public who are concerned about missing people who may have been caught up in the blaze or who have information can report these online or by calling 0800 051 6079 in the UK or 020 7126 7641 from abroad.

This article was amended on 15 December 2021 to remove a quote from a resident that did not match reports from the fire service and could not be readily verified.