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Firefighters and member of public die in fire at old Bicester RAF base | Firefighters and member of public die in fire at old Bicester RAF base |
(31 minutes later) | |
Large plumes of smoke were filmed coming from one of the Bicester Motion buildings | Large plumes of smoke were filmed coming from one of the Bicester Motion buildings |
Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire at a former RAF base. | Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire at a former RAF base. |
The Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters died while tackling the blaze at Bicester Motion on Thursday. | The Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters died while tackling the blaze at Bicester Motion on Thursday. |
Two further firefighters suffered serious injuries and are in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said. | Two further firefighters suffered serious injuries and are in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said. |
Paying tribute on X, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the families and friends of those who had died following the "devastating news". | Paying tribute on X, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the families and friends of those who had died following the "devastating news". |
He continued: "The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery." | He continued: "The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery." |
Thick black smoke billowed from the site on Thursday evening | Thick black smoke billowed from the site on Thursday evening |
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. | 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. | "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." | "We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can." |
Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze at the former hangar on the business park on Thursday at about 18:30 BST, with witnesses seeing black smoke in the sky from the other side of town. | |
The council said four crews remained at the scene of the fire, which was now under control. | The council said four crews remained at the scene of the fire, which was now under control. |
A fire engine and ambulance could be seen leaving the area on Friday while another police vehicle entered the site. | A fire engine and ambulance could be seen leaving the area on Friday while another police vehicle entered the site. |
Advice for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows has been lifted. | Advice for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows has been lifted. |
Philip Garrigan, chief of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: "I am devastated by the news that two firefighters have lost their lives responding to a major incident in Bicester on Thursday evening. I am also deeply saddened that a member of the public has also died in the incident. | Philip Garrigan, chief of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: "I am devastated by the news that two firefighters have lost their lives responding to a major incident in Bicester on Thursday evening. I am also deeply saddened that a member of the public has also died in the incident. |
"Our firefighters are the very best of us, their courage and compassion is what make them so very special. | "Our firefighters are the very best of us, their courage and compassion is what make them so very special. |
"My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time." | "My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time." |
Police officers patrol at a cordon near the scene of the fire at Bicester Motion | Police officers patrol at a cordon near the scene of the fire at Bicester Motion |
In a statement Bicester Motion said: "We are deeply saddened to share the tragic news that two firefighters and a close friend of the site have lost their lives. | In a statement Bicester Motion said: "We are deeply saddened to share the tragic news that two firefighters and a close friend of the site have lost their lives. |
"There are no words at times like this but our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. We pray for the two firefighters in hospital. | "There are no words at times like this but our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. We pray for the two firefighters in hospital. |
"The bravery shown by the emergency services teams has been overwhelming. We are grateful for all the support and especially the exceptional work by all in such unprecedented circumstances. | "The bravery shown by the emergency services teams has been overwhelming. We are grateful for all the support and especially the exceptional work by all in such unprecedented circumstances. |
"The strength and kindness of the Bicester community, of which we are proud members, has truly shown itself." | "The strength and kindness of the Bicester community, of which we are proud members, has truly shown itself." |
Thanking people for their understanding, Bicester Motion said the site would remain closed over the weekend "as we continue to work closely with the emergency services". | Thanking people for their understanding, Bicester Motion said the site would remain closed over the weekend "as we continue to work closely with the emergency services". |
St Laurence's Church, Caversfield, said it had opened its doors following "the tragic news of lives lost in the fire". | St Laurence's Church, Caversfield, said it had opened its doors following "the tragic news of lives lost in the fire". |
The church on Banbury Road, close to the site of the fire, said it was open "for anyone looking for a space for private prayer or for stillness and reflection". | The church on Banbury Road, close to the site of the fire, said it was open "for anyone looking for a space for private prayer or for stillness and reflection". |
"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the events of yesterday and especially with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives," it added. | "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the events of yesterday and especially with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives," it added. |
'Sorrow and solidarity' | 'Sorrow and solidarity' |
Labour former minister and Oxfordshire MP Anneliese Dodds paid tribute to the firefighters who died in the line of duty as she spoke in the House of Commons. | Labour former minister and Oxfordshire MP Anneliese Dodds paid tribute to the firefighters who died in the line of duty as she spoke in the House of Commons. |
The Oxford East MP said: "Since I have been in the chamber, I have received some truly awful news that three people died last night in a fire in Bicester, including two members of the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service." | The Oxford East MP said: "Since I have been in the chamber, I have received some truly awful news that three people died last night in a fire in Bicester, including two members of the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service." |
She said MP for Bicester and Woodstock Calum Miller had left the chamber to liaise with those on the ground. | She said MP for Bicester and Woodstock Calum Miller had left the chamber to liaise with those on the ground. |
"We both want to take this opportunity, if I may, to convey our deep sorrow and solidarity with the families of those who have died, and our fervent and heartfelt best wishes to the two firefighters who remain in a serious condition," she continued. | "We both want to take this opportunity, if I may, to convey our deep sorrow and solidarity with the families of those who have died, and our fervent and heartfelt best wishes to the two firefighters who remain in a serious condition," she continued. |
"We're grateful for their heroism and that of their colleagues when, as ever, they run towards danger to serve us all." | "We're grateful for their heroism and that of their colleagues when, as ever, they run towards danger to serve us all." |
In a statement, Mr Miller said: "I am heartbroken to learn that three people lost their lives in the fire. My deep condolences go to the family and friends who are now grieving their loss. | In a statement, Mr Miller said: "I am heartbroken to learn that three people lost their lives in the fire. My deep condolences go to the family and friends who are now grieving their loss. |
"I want to pay tribute to the bravery of our firefighters and emergency services. | "I want to pay tribute to the bravery of our firefighters and emergency services. |
"It is terrible that two fire officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. The death of colleagues will be felt by all in the fire service family, and I am holding them in my thoughts." | "It is terrible that two fire officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. The death of colleagues will be felt by all in the fire service family, and I am holding them in my thoughts." |
'Deep debt of gratitude' | 'Deep debt of gratitude' |
Leader of Oxford City Council, Councillor Susan Brown, expressed her condolences to the families of all three people who had died. | Leader of Oxford City Council, Councillor Susan Brown, expressed her condolences to the families of all three people who had died. |
She continued: "This is a terrible reminder for us all that firefighters, as well as the other members of the emergency services, put themselves at risk on a daily basis, to protect us all. We owe them a deep debt of gratitude. | She continued: "This is a terrible reminder for us all that firefighters, as well as the other members of the emergency services, put themselves at risk on a daily basis, to protect us all. We owe them a deep debt of gratitude. |
"We are deeply saddened, and our thoughts are with the family, colleagues and friends of those we have lost in this tragic incident." | "We are deeply saddened, and our thoughts are with the family, colleagues and friends of those we have lost in this tragic incident." |
Oxford City Council has lowered the city flag, flying over the 1930's extension of Oxford Town Hall, to half-mast in tribute. | Oxford City Council has lowered the city flag, flying over the 1930's extension of Oxford Town Hall, to half-mast in tribute. |
Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze | Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze |
Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering. It is on the site of RAF Bicester, a former bomber station. | Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering. It is on the site of RAF Bicester, a former bomber station. |
The cause of the fire is not yet known. | The cause of the fire is not yet known. |
Advice for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows has now been lifted. | Advice for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows has now been lifted. |
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. | You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. |