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Witney fire: Breakers' yard blaze sees homes evacuated | Witney fire: Breakers' yard blaze sees homes evacuated |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A large fire involving scrap cars and fuel at a breakers' yard has led to homes being evacuated and roads closed. | A large fire involving scrap cars and fuel at a breakers' yard has led to homes being evacuated and roads closed. |
Around 60 firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue have been tackling the blaze at T&B Motors in Witney. | |
Plumes of "thick, black, acrid" smoke were visible over the town from about 10:00 BST. | |
Residents were advised by police to stay indoors and keep all windows and doors closed when the blaze was at its height. | |
More updates on South Live | More updates on South Live |
The fire service said it had brought the fire under control by 14:30 BST, but that crews would "remain at the scene for 24 hours for ongoing fire-fighting activities". | The fire service said it had brought the fire under control by 14:30 BST, but that crews would "remain at the scene for 24 hours for ongoing fire-fighting activities". |
The area will be closed overnight, deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council Toby Morris said. | The area will be closed overnight, deputy leader of West Oxfordshire District Council Toby Morris said. |
He said emergency accommodation was being arranged for at least one resident. | He said emergency accommodation was being arranged for at least one resident. |
A Thames Valley Police spokesman said there had been no injuries. | A Thames Valley Police spokesman said there had been no injuries. |
While West End has been completely closed off, Bridge Street and Wood Green have reopened. | While West End has been completely closed off, Bridge Street and Wood Green have reopened. |
Earlier, people asked to leave their homes were told to gather at Elmfield council offices. | Earlier, people asked to leave their homes were told to gather at Elmfield council offices. |
Farmers Close resident Tony Pearce said: "It's thick, black, acrid smoke. Gas bottles, tyres, the petrol left in the cars, that's all going up. | Farmers Close resident Tony Pearce said: "It's thick, black, acrid smoke. Gas bottles, tyres, the petrol left in the cars, that's all going up. |
"All the houses up here have been evacuated because of the flames." | "All the houses up here have been evacuated because of the flames." |
A fire service spokesman said at one point 10 appliances were in attendance from Oxford, Witney, Burford, Wheatley, Deddington, Eynsham and Chipping Norton and multiple jets were in use. | |
"Because of the nature of the premises fuel is involved and there is a large plume of dark smoke," he added. |