Bicester fire LIVE: Three dead after horror blaze tears through former RAF base

Footage on social media shows emergency vehicles still a the scene this morning, with one video on X showing a fire enging leaving the site today.

Local resident Ellie, 26, who lives across the road from Bicester Motion, said she saw plumes of smoke coming from the buildings on Thursday night.

She told PA: “There was a big black plume of smoke coming out of there.“I heard loads of pops and crackles and bangs. It was quite bad.“It was so weird because I had my blinds shut at the time and I was like what is going on.“It was crazy and then I looked out the window and saw it.”

The council said four crews remain at the scene as the blaze is now under control.

Officers remained at the entrance of the former RAF base on Friday, and a fire engine and ambulance could be seen leaving the area while another police vehicle entered the site.

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.”

Two firefighters and a member of the public have died following a large fire at a former RAF base.

Oxfordshire County Council said the two firefighters died while tackling the blaze at Bicester Motion on Thursday.

Two further firefighters suffered serious injuries and are currently in hospital, the council added.

Local authorities have been pictured at the scene this morning. Footage shows the severity of the damage that the fire has caused.

Social media footage shows thick black smoke pouring out the site yesterday evening.

The road closures that were in place last night are now lifted according to OxonTravel, an X/Twitter account that shares traffic updates around Oxfordshire.

Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite Bicester Motion said he heard “multiple bangs” and saw smoke billowing out while out walking.

He told PA last night: “As we walked home and got closer to the smoke it seemed to get blacker and we heard the sirens.

“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.”

Bicester Motion said in a statement: “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. At their direction the site will be closed today and over the weekend. A further statement will be made as appropriate.”

Local councillor Sam Holland said there multiple emergency vehicles as he saw the fire from a distance.

“I saw it (the fire) from a distance,” he 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.”

A South Central Ambulance Service 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.”

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “10 fire and rescue crews are currently attending an ongoing serious incident at Bicester Motion from 18:39 this evening.

“We would advise people to avoid the area, and for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice.”