Bicester fire: Major inferno tears through former RAF blaze sparking ‘explosions’

Multiple helicopters circled a large fire at the site of a former RAF base in Oxfordshire yesterday evening, with witnesses reporting loud explosions and thick black smoke.

More than ten fire and rescue crews tackled the blaze in Bicester, which prompted warnings for residents to stay indoors.

The fire is still ongoing, but ‘under control’, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue said. Support appliances remain on scene, including a hydraulic platform, a water carrier, a command unit and a high volume pumping unit.

Historic England claims the iconic airfield is ‘the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase’ in Britain.

Kieran McGurk said he heard ‘multiple bangs’ and saw a plume of smoke while out walking.

‘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.

‘Loud bangs have been constantly going off and multiple helicopters are still circling the site.’

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘We would advise people to avoid the area, and for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice.’

A South Central Ambulance Service spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 18.57 yesterday 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.’

Local councillor Sam Holland said the blaze is at Bicester Motion, a historic motoring and aviation centre situated on the former airbase.

It is home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering.

‘I saw it (the fire) from a distance,’ Mr Holland told the PA news agency. ‘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.’

Bicester Motion said in a statement that the site would remain closed over the weekend.

Nearby roads have also been affected. Buckingham Road, Skimmingdish Lane, the A4421 and the A4095 were all closed until further notice, with likely ‘delays and disruption to journeys in and around Bicester’.

The cause of the fire is not yet known.

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