Fire at Former RAF Base Claims Lives of Firefighters

A significant fire at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire has resulted in the tragic deaths of two firefighters and one other individual.

According to Oxfordshire County Council, the two firefighters lost their lives while battling the blaze in the Bicester area on Thursday.

Bicester Motion, known for its concentration of over 50 companies specializing in classic car repair and engineering, occupies the site of the former RAF Bicester bomber base.

The alarm was raised Thursday evening, prompting ten firefighters and rescue teams to respond. Local residents were advised to stay indoors due to the emergency.

By Friday morning, while the fire continued to burn, authorities reported that it was largely under control. Additional support units, including hydraulic platforms and water carriers, remained on the scene.

Two more firefighters sustained serious injuries and were receiving treatment in the hospital, the council noted.

Chief Fire Officer Rob McDougal expressed deep sorrow over the losses, stating, “Today, it’s a very heavy heart that we are reporting the losses of two firefighters. The families are informed and supported.”

The earlier advice to keep windows closed and stay inside was lifted Friday morning. Roads that had been closed due to the fire were reopened, but traffic was expected to be congested.

A representative from South Central Ambulance Service remarked, “On Thursday evening at 18:57, we were alerted to a serious incident in the Bicester movement. We dispatched a robust command structure to support our staff and are currently on-site as the incident unfolds.”