Two firefighters and a member of the public have been killed after a huge blaze ripped through a former RAF base near Bicester Village last night.
Witnesses said they heard multiple explosions and clouds of dense black smoke could be seen for miles following the inferno at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire.
In an update issued this morning, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were ‘mourning the loss’ of two colleagues killed in the blaze at the motoring and aviation heritage site.
Another two firefighters were also seriously injured and are currently in hospital.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared his ‘devastation’ at the news and praised the ‘astounding bravery’ of firefighters.
He posted on X: ‘Devastating news. My thoughts are with their families and friends.
‘The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery.’
Fire and ambulance crews rushed to Bicester Motion, which is home to around 50 specialist businesses, at around 6.40pm last night.
Around 10 fire crews are understood to have been fighting the blaze, which is now ‘under control’ but remains ongoing this morning.
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: ‘It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters.
‘Families have been informed and are being supported. Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for privacy to be respected.
‘We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.’
Video grab from footage shows a huge cloud of smoke as fire breaks out at a former RAF airfield at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshir
Firefighters are pictured on the scene of a blaze at a former RAF base in Bicester last night
Three people including two firefighters have been killed after a huge blaze ripped through a former RAF base near Bicester Village last night. Pictured: Damaged buildings at the scene
Locals were urged to avoid the area, as well as being advised to remain indoors and close their windows ‘until further notice’.
Sharing a video of the blaze, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley Matthew Barber posted on X: ‘An awful situation in Bicester this evening at Bicester Heritage.
‘Officers from Thames Valley Police are assisting Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service in dealing with the significant incident.’
A social media user also shared snaps of the plumes of dark smoke coming from the site, claiming to have heard ‘multiple explosions’.
Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite Bicester Motion, also reported hearing ‘multiple bangs’ as he saw clouds of dark smoke fill the sky.
‘As we walked home and got closer to the smoke it seemed to get blacker and we heard the sirens,’ he said.
‘Multiple fire engines and police cars went past us and as we got to the corner at the bottom of the road ash started to fall and you could see the sheer scale of what was happening.
Police officers patrol at a cordon near the scene of a fire at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire
Locals were urged to avoid the area, as well as being advised to remain indoors and close their windows ‘until further notice’
A member of the public also died and another two firefighters were seriously injured and are currently in hospital
Police officers patrol at a cordon near the scene at Bicester Motion, the site of a former RAF base
Around ten fire crews are understood to have been fighting the blaze at the motoring and aviation heritage site since 6.30pm last night
‘Loud bangs have been constantly going off and multiple helicopters are still circling the site.’
Bicester Motion, formerly known as Bicester Heritage, is home to over 50 specialist businesses, which focus on classic car restoration and engineering.
Historic England say the iconic airfield is ‘the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase’ in the country.
Molly Pipe told the BBC that the smoke could be smelt ‘from perhaps half a mile away’.
Local councillor Sam Holland said he saw the blaze ‘from a distance’ adding: ‘There’s lots of emergency vehicles.
‘Bicester Motion were meeting there earlier. I had spoken to someone as they were leaving. I hope there is nobody hurt or worse.’
A Bicester Motion spokesperson said: ‘Further to the incident, emergency services have been called and are attending on-site.
‘We appreciate the concern from local residents and wish to communicate that the company is working with the emergency services and a further statement will be made as appropriate.’
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Four fire and rescue crews remain in attendance at an ongoing serious incident at Bicester Motion having been called out at 18:39 yesterday evening (15 May).
Plumes of smoke billowing from the sky amid the blaze at the former heritage centre yesterday
Clouds of smoke seen near the scene of a fire at Bicester Motion
Firefighters at the scene at Bicester Motion last night with one person claiming smoke could be smelt from ‘miles away’
Local councillor Sam Holland said he saw the blaze ‘from a distance’ adding: ‘ There’s lots of emergency vehicles
‘The fire is still ongoing but is under control. Other support appliances remain on scene including a hydraulic platform, a water carrier, a command unit and a high volume pumping unit
‘Advice for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows has been lifted. Roads that were previously closed are now being opened but traffic is heavy.’
A South Central Ambulance spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 18.57 this evening to reports of a serious incident at Bicester Motion.
‘We sent a robust command structure to support staff and are currently on scene as the incident is ongoing’.
MailOnline has approached Thames Valley Police and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service for comment.
