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Two firefighters and a member of the public have died after a large fire at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire.
Oxfordshire county council said the two firefighters died while tackling the blaze at Bicester Motion on Thursday.
Bicester Motion, home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering, is located at the site of RAF Bicester, a former bomber station.
One of the firefighters killed was a London firefighter on “retained duty” with the Oxfordshire fire service, while the other was with the Oxfordshire service.
People laid flowers at the scene on Friday. One bunch was left by a family with a note that read: “Sending all our love to those who lost their lives and to those who did not think twice about making that sacrifice to help others. Thinking of the fire service, their families, friends and the wider community and all those services who came to help. Rest easy.”
Another said: “Thank you for your service.”
Amy Angeletta said she had laid flowers out of a sense of community. “People have lost their lives and it’s quite a close-knit community here. It’s just to pay your respects. The area has a very lovely friendly atmosphere. At a time like this, it just feels like everybody pulls together,” she said.
A plaque had also been placed in the memory of those who died bearing the names of Oxfordshire fire and rescue service and Bicester Motion. It read: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public. Love from the Bicester community.”
Keir Starmer also paid tribute to the two firefighters who died. “Devastating news,” he posted on X. “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.”
Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the fire, which started on Thursday evening and prompted a major response and warnings for residents to stay indoors.
The fire was still burning on Friday morning but was under control, the council said. Other support appliances remained on scene, including a hydraulic platform, a water carrier, a command unit and a high-volume pumping unit.
Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries and were in hospital, the council added.
Oxfordshire fire and rescue service’s chief fire officer appeared emotional as he paid tribute to the “unwavering bravery” of those who attended the fire.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Rob MacDougall did not release further details about those who died but said: “It is with a heavy heart that today we report the loss of two of our firefighters. A member of the public has also sadly died in the incident.
“Two further firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently in hospital.”
MacDougall appeared to be holding back tears as he gave the update and concluded by saying: “I am immensely proud and grateful for the exemplary multi-agency response and unwavering bravery demonstrated by all the emergency services personnel.”
The commissioner of London fire brigade, Andy Roe, said: “Following the terrible news from Oxfordshire that two firefighters have died in the line of duty, alongside a member of the public, it is with great sadness that I can confirm that one of those who lost their lives is a London leading firefighter/sub-officer, who was on retained duty with Oxfordshire fire and rescue service.
“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague and our thoughts remain with the families and friends of all those impacted by this incident.”
Roe added: “Our sincere condolences go out to Oxfordshire fire and rescue service who also sadly lost a firefighter at this incident, with a further two colleagues in hospital.”
Vikas Talwar, 40, who lives near Bicester Motion, could see the fire from the street corner outside his house.
He said: “There was a lot of smoke yesterday. Lots of people were gathering here on the corner but a lot of smoke was coming out. There was flames on the roof, on the top of the roof, and a huge big cloud of smoke in the air. I could see it from this corner near my house.”
Speaking of those who died in the fire, he said: “It’s so sad. It’s very heartbreaking. We have sympathy with the people involved. I can see there was a quick reaction by the fire brigade and ambulance teams when they came in. I saw the air ambulances in the air in the evening.”
