Two firefighters and a member of public die as 'explosions heard' at ex-RAF base
Three people have died, including two firefighters with two more seriously injured, after a fire broke out at an ex-RAF base.
Two firefighters and a member of the public have died following a fire at a former RAF base.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Bicester Motion, a historic motoring and aviation centre situated on the former airbase, at around 6.39pm last night, sending ten crews to the scene of what they described as a "serious incident", reports the Mirror.
The deaths of the three people have been confirmed, with two more firefighters having been seriously injured, after the blaze in Bicester, Oxfordshire County Council said.
Oxfordshire County Council said in a statement: "Firefighters and Oxfordshire County Council colleagues are today mourning the loss of two firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty while dealing with a major incident in Bicester on the evening of Thursday, 15 May.
"A member of the public also sadly died in the incident. Two further firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently in hospital.
"Ten fire crews attended the incident at Bicester Motion having been called to the scene at 18:39. Four crews remain at the scene with the fire now under control."
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall added: '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.'
The council said four crews remain at the scene as the blaze is now under control.
Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite Bicester Motion, said he heard "multiple bangs" and saw a plume of smoke while out walking. It is believed the fire started at a hangar on the site in northern Bicester, off the A4421 Buckingham Road.
He told PA: "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."
The fire service said last night: "We would advise people to avoid the area, and for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice." Dozens of businesses in Oxfordshire will remain closed all weekend following a major fire on the former RAF base yesterday.
Before the deaths were confirmed, local councillor Sam Holland spoke about the fire at Bicester Motion - 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 PA. "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."
Historic England claim the iconic airfield is "the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase" in Britain.
Bicester Motion previously 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."
Roads have reopened in and around Bicester following the fire. Oxfordshire County Council wrote on X: "Roads have now reopened, and advice to remain indoors has been lifted. However, people should avoid the area and expect traffic delays in Bicester this morning."
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'My father killed my mum with an axe – my biggest fear is being just like him'
Napoli's team of the 1980s was filled with headline-grabbing characters, but one member of the Neapolitans had endured a horrific start to his life before his football career took off Ex-Napoli star Andrea Carnevale suffered a truly traumatic childhood. It ended up with him having to run to the police station, while carrying an axe that was splattered with his own mother's blood. Growing up, his schizophrenic father constantly abused his mother. And despite repeatedly telling the police about the pain his mother was having to endure at home behind closed doors, her life ended when his father bludgeoned her to death with an axe as she washed their clothes. Carnevale, who went on to play alongside Diego Maradona in the great Napoli team between 1986 and 1990, took the very weapon which so brutally ended his mother's life to the police himself. Former Italy international Carnevale, who is now 64 years old, opened up about the traumatic incident in his book 'Il Destino di un Bomber' (The Destiny of a Striker). He wrote: "My mother never reported him for fear they would do something to the children. "My father was very jealous. There was a climate of terror at home. I was there when she was slapped and beaten. "On the morning of September 25, 1975, he woke up, grabbed an axe and went to my mother, who was washing clothes by the river near our house and killed her. I ran with the blood-stained axe to the police." Carnevale – who made 10 appearances for Italy between 1989 and 1990, scoring twice for his nation – was one of seven siblings who grew up in the household. He admitted that one of his biggest fears was growing up to be just like his murderous father. Two years after the tragedy, at only 16 years old, Carnevale made the decision to visit his him in prison. Opening up about the experience in his book, he added: "I wanted to look him in the eyes. He had taken everything from me in life. But when I saw him, I gave him a strong hug. Somehow, I forgave him, despite knowing that before me stood a very sick man." After describing the experience as "the first step towards liberation" from the trauma, he added: "For many years I lived with the pain but also the fear of being like him. But no, I am not like him. I realised this when I saw him." When asked what was wrong with his father, he added: "He was schizophrenic. He was never treated, a few years later he took his own life by throwing himself out of a window in front of my eyes." Not only did Carnevale return to the scene of his mother's murder, he bought the house. In an interview with Italian outlet Corriere della Sera, he said: "With my first money, I immediately bought our farmhouse in Monte San Biagio in Latina where we grew up. "I paid 450 million old lire. It remains the best investment of my life: the theatre of horror became the theatre of love. There is serenity and strong union; happiness is another thing though – nothing will ever be like before. "Everyone has their own life. My wife Beatrice is my world – the woman who understood me and immediately gave me a second chance – my everything." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
British photographer hit by non-lethal bullets during LA protests
He told the PA news agency: 'My initial concern was, were they firing live rounds? 'Some of the protesters came and helped me, and they ended up carrying me, and I noticed that there was blood pouring down my leg.' He was treated by a medic who urged him to go to hospital. At one point, Mr Stern says he passed out from the pain. He is now recovering at Long Beach Memorial Medical Centre following emergency surgery. Protesters throw objects to the police vehicles on a Freeway near the Metropolitan Detention Centre in downtown Los Angeles (Ethan Swope/AP) Mr Stern, who emigrated to the US in 2007, said he typically makes himself 'as visible as possible' while working in hostile situations. 'That way you're less likely to get hit because they know you're media,' he said. It is the second incident of its kind for Mr Stern, who said he sustained 'substantial' bruising after being hit by another live round during the George Floyd protests in 2020. 'The communities in LA are very tight and very close-knit,' Mr Stern said. 'So an outside organisation like Ice coming in and removing – whatever you want to call it, removing, kidnapping, abducting people from the community – is not going to go down well at all.' It comes after US President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops to California to quell the protests, which began on Friday in downtown LA before spreading. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move was 'essential to halting and reversing the invasion of illegal criminals into the United States'. The decision drew sharp criticism from Democratic politicians, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, who called the move 'purposefully inflammatory'. Demonstrators have been protesting the Trump administration's immigration raids, which last month aimed to detain as many as 3,000 people per day. Despite his injury, Mr Stern says he is eager to return to work. 'I intend, as soon as I am well enough, to get back out there,' he said. 'This is too important and it needs documenting.'
Belfast Telegraph
a day ago
- Belfast Telegraph
Former senator who fled US after ‘sex scandal' cleared of speeding in Co Down
An ex-US senator who fled to Australia after becoming embroiled in a crack-smoking sex scandal with a prostitute has been acquitted of speeding in Co Down.
