Three people, including two firefighters, have been killed as a massive fire ripped through a former RAF base.
Workers at the former RAF Bicester, where several businesses restore classic cars and planes, were evacuated from the scene as neighbours heard multiple explosions and clouds of dense black smoke spread for miles.
Two firefighters suffered serious injuries tackling the inferno and remain in hospital. The fire is now under control, Oxfordshire County Council said.
Sir Keir Starmer paid tribute to the victims, posting on X: “Devastating news. My thoughts are with their families and friends.
“The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery.”
Thames Valley Police have launched an unexplained death probe following the fire but said it is “currently not a criminal investigation”.
A “leading” London firefighter who was on “retained duty” with the Oxfordshire fire service was one of the three killed, the capital's fire commissioner Andy Roe said.
With his voice breaking and appearing to fight back tears, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer, Rob MacDougall, told reporters at the scene: “I am immensely proud and grateful for the exemplary multi-agency response and unwavering bravery demonstrated by all the emergency services personnel.”
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An electrician who was one of the first people at the site of the fire described how fire brigades “poured in” to the site amid thick smoke.
Fatih Ozzoksel, known as Ozzy, said he saw “massive plumes of smoke” from his garden on Thursday night.
The 54-year-old went straight to the site where he saw dozens of emergency service vehicles arrive.
“The smoke was unreal, I couldn’t breathe,” he told The Independent. “There were explosions that just wouldn’t stop for at least an hour and a half. One sounded like thunder, I think it was a roof collapsing.”
The owner of Ozzy Engineers, who sometimes visits the pub on the site, said he “had never seen anything like this” in his life.
“I feel so sorry for the people who lost their lives. Their bravery was unreal they were literally pouring in,” he said.
Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite the site, said he heard “multiple bangs” and saw a plume of smoke while out walking.
The famous airfield is “the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase” in Britain, according to Historic England.
Bicester resident Janine McKenna Jones, 48, described seeing “black ash” near her home following the fatal fire.
“It felt very apocalyptic, if that makes sense, because you see the sky and there’s this big black cloud of smoke,” she said.
She said she is still keeping windows shut at her home due to the smell of smoke.
Bicester Motion said they were “deeply saddened” by the deaths of the firefighters and a “close friend”.
The company said: “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 strength and kindness of the Bicester community, of which we are proud members, has truly shown itself.
“The site will remain closed over the weekend as we continue to work closely with the emergency services.”
Assistant Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police, Tim Metcalfe, said: “This is currently not a criminal investigation, but we will follow the evidence as our enquiries continue.
“We will continue to have officers at the scene for a number of days to ensure the public remain safe.
“The fire service is still at the scene, dampening down the fire. Once the scene is safe, our investigators will be able to carry out enquiries at the location.”
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