CLOUDS of smoke billowed up through a car park after a vehicle was set on fire at Bracknell's second tallest building yesterday.

Shortly before 4.40pm on Thursday, flames engulfed a red four door car parked outside Point Royal in what is believe to have been a deliberate act of arson.

Residents watched from the floors above as the smoke rose up from the vehicle and through the car park ceiling.

Linda Wells, housing and community services director at Bracknell Forest Homes (BFH), which owns the high-rise, said: “There was a fire incident at Point Royal yesterday evening, where a car parked in the basement is believed to have been deliberately set on fire.

“The fire service attended Point Royal very quickly to contain the fire and provide reassurance to residents. Staff from Bracknell Forest Homes were also on site to assist residents and ensure they were able to return to their flats when the fire brigade confirmed everything was safe.

"Thankfully no one was hurt.

“This is an extremely serious incident. We are working very closely with the police and the fire service, and we will do all we can to help the police identify the perpetrators and deal with them appropriately.

“If any residents have any information about the incident, we urge them to get in touch with the police or contact us on 01344 382800.”

Kelly Robins witnessed the fire from a flat above the carpark.

She said: "It might of only been one car that was set on fire but it could have been much worse.

"I'm disgusted there are such heartless people in the world. After seeing the heartache after Grenfell Tower, that someone would put so many people at risk."

Fire fighters from Bracknell and Ascot stations attended with one hose reel used to extinguish the fire.

BFH are currently in the process of installing a sprinkler system at the Rectory Lane building in a set of improvement works planned before the Grenfell Tower fire.

Samples of cladding which sits on the outside of the building is waiting to be tested as a precautionary measure.

There is no indication the cladding does not meet fire safety regulation standards.

Thames Valley Police have been contacted for comment.