Huge fire rips through former RAF base as explosions heard and smoke seen from miles away
A GARGANTUAN fire has ripped through a former RAF base, with explosions heard and smoke seen from miles away.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene in Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, earlier this evening.
It’s thought that ten fire crews have been desperately fighting the blaze at the motoring and aviation heritage site since 6.30pm.
Locals have been told to avoid the area and urged to remain indoors and close their windows “until further notice”.
One social media user posted a shocking image of plumes of dark smoke billowing from the site, claiming to have heard “multiple explosions”.
A resident who lives opposite Bicester Motion, Kieran McGurk, also said he heard “multiple bangs” as he saw terrifying clouds of smoke erupt in the sky.
He described: “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 Heritage, more commonly known as Bicester Motion, is home to more than 50 specialist businesses which centre around classic car restoration and engineering.
Molly Pipe told the BBC that the smoke could horrifically be smelt “from perhaps half a mile away”.
And Sam Holland, a local councillor, described seeing the blaze “from a distance”.
He said: “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.”
And Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “10 fire and rescue crews are currently attending an ongoing serious incident at Bicester Motion from 6.39pm this evening.
“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 spokesperson said: “We were called at 6.57pm 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.”