Fire service officials are investigating whether Grenfell-style flammable cladding aided the spread of a fire at a block of town centre flats last month.

A fire broke out at a fifth floor flat at Mosaic Apartments on Slough High Street shortly after midnight on August 22. Some 300 people were evacuated but no one was hurt. It has since been confirmed that flammable ACM cladding was fitted to parts of the top two floors.

Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) is investigating what caused the fire and to what extent the cladding enabled it to spread. A spokesperson told the Observer this ‘might take several weeks’.

The spokesperson said: “RBFRS is carrying out a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the fire at Mosaic Apartments in Slough. This is a complex investigation, which we estimate that it may take several weeks to complete.

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“At this time, we are unable to confirm the exact cause, but the fire investigation will examine the way the fire developed and to what extent the ACM cladding contributed to the spread of the fire. From initial findings, we do not believe that the fire was started deliberately.”

They added: “We are aware of the presence of Aluminium Composite Material (ACM) cladding, which has been confirmed as present within the external wall system of the apartments on the top two floors of the building.

“The fire investigation will examine the way the fire developed and to what extent the ACM cladding contributed to the spread of the fire.”