A fire has broken out in a suspected camp set up by homeless people next to the Tesco superstore near central Reading. 

Fire crews and police attended the incident in the woodland between the train lines and the Tesco store in Napier Road at around 5pm this evening. 

The car park of the supermarket had to be closed while firefighters responded to the blaze, according to Tesco staff. 

One staff member said they could hear what sounded like gas canister exploding during the blaze. 

The staff member said: "There was loud popping. It was big fire, every now and then there was this loud 'wooosh' sound. 

"The police came, but we didn't see anybody in the camp."

Thames Valley Police and the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service have been contacted for further details.