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16 May 2025
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Three dead in Bicester fire: Two firefighters and one member of the public killed after multiple explosions heard as blaze rips through former RAF base, UK
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Two firefighters and a member of the public have been killed after a huge fire ripped through a former RAF base near Bicester Village last night, 15 may 2025. Another two firefighters were injured in the incident. Witnesses said they heard multiple explosions and clouds of dense black smoke could be seen for miles following the inferno at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire. In an update issued this morning, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were 'mourning the loss' of two colleagues killed in the blaze at the motoring and aviation heritage site.
Another two firefighters were also seriously injured and are currently in hospital.
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. 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.”
Fire and ambulance crews rushed to Bicester Motion, 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 fire, which is now 'under control' but remains ongoing this morning.
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 18h39 yesterday evening, Thursday, 15 May 2025. 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 18h57 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.”
Locals were urged to avoid the area, as well as being advised to remain indoors and close their windows 'until further notice'.
Sharing a video of the incident, 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 and 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'.
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.”
Sources: BBC, Daily Mail
Another two firefighters were also seriously injured and are currently in hospital.
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. 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.”
Fire and ambulance crews rushed to Bicester Motion, 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 fire, which is now 'under control' but remains ongoing this morning.
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 18h39 yesterday evening, Thursday, 15 May 2025. 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 18h57 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.”
Locals were urged to avoid the area, as well as being advised to remain indoors and close their windows 'until further notice'.
Sharing a video of the incident, 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 and 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'.
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.”
Sources: BBC, Daily Mail
