Dozens of businesses in Oxfordshire will remain closed all weekend following a major fire on a former RAF base yesterday.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were called to Bicester Motion at around 6.39pm last night, sending ten crews to the scene of what they described as a “serious incident”. In their latest statement on the incident a spokesperson said: “We would advise people to avoid the area, and for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice.”
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. Dense black smoke could be seen billowing from the fire across the town and as far as north Oxford, with witnesses describing loud explosions.
Bicester Motion, a historic motoring and aviation hub situated on a former RAF airbase, is home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering. But the fire has impacted business this weekend as the site will remain closed all weekend.
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Shortly before 2am this morning Bicester Motion shared an update on their website, writing: “Further to the incident this evening, we are grateful to the community for their kind words and support. We continue working closely with the emergency services. At the direction of the emergency services, the site will be closed on Friday 16 May and over the weekend. A further statement will be made as appropriate.
A South Central Ambulance Service 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.”
The cause of the fire and whether any injuries have been reported is not yet known.