Bicester fire: Multiple explosions heard as blaze rips through former RAF base - with smoke seen for miles as police boss describes 'awful situation'

Daily Mail​

16-05-2025

Witnesses described hearing multiple explosions as a huge blaze ripped through a former RAF base near Bicester Village last night.
Clouds of dense black smoke could be seen for miles - with the local police chief describing the inferno at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire as an 'awful situation'.
Fire and ambulance crews rushed to the motoring and aviation heritage site, 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.
Locals were urged to avoid the area, as well as being advised to remain indoors and close their windows 'until further notice'.
It is unclear if anyone has been injured in the blaze with South Central Ambulance Service saying in its latest statement that crews remain on the scene.
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'.
Around ten fire crews are understood to have been fighting the blaze at the motoring and aviation heritage site since 6.30pm last night
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.
'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).
'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.