Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s chief fire officer choked with emotion and appeared to be fighting back tears as he told ‘with a heavy heart’ of the ‘unwavering bravery’ of his colleagues.
Two firefighters and a member of the public were killed after a huge blaze ripped through a former RAF base near Bicester Village last night.
Two other firefighters have been rushed to hospital with serious injuries and the fire has been brought under control.
Witnesses said they heard multiple explosions and clouds of dense black smoke could be seen for miles following the inferno at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire.
In a press conference this morning, Chief Rob MacDougall was visibly emotional as he read a statement to the media, taking several pauses to compose himself.
He 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.
‘The families have been informed and are being supported. Our thoughts remain with them at this most difficult time and we ask for their privacy to be respected.
‘We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.
‘We were called to the scene at 18:39 yesterday and at the height of the incident we had ten fire engines tackling the fire. We remain on site with a reduced presence and the fire is under control.
‘Our thoughts are with the families, friends and colleagues affected.’
With his voice cracking, Chief MacDougall fought back tears as he added: ‘I’m immensely proud and grateful for the multi-agency response and the unwavering bravery demonstrated by all the emergency services personnel.’
In an update this morning, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said they were ‘mourning the loss’ of two colleagues killed in the blaze at the classic car and aircraft restoration site.
One of those that died was a London firefighter who was on ‘retained duty’ with the Oxfordshire fire service, the capital’s fire commissioner Andy Roe has said.
LFB commissioner 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.
‘We are working closely with our counterparts in Oxfordshire, providing support to the family and our crews affected by this tragic loss.
‘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.’
Members of the public have started to lay flowers and tributes at the scene of the fire in Bicester in which three people, including two firefighters, were killed.
Three bouquets have been laid under the Bicester Motion sign outside the former RAF base where there is still a heavy police presence.
A handwritten note read: ‘Thank you for your service. Our hearts are with the services and families.’
The note featured hand drawn pictures of an ambulance, police officer, doctor, and firefighter.
The flowers also include a handpicked bunch of daisies.
Sam Smith, 33, who gave emergency services some drinks and sweet treats, said: ‘They do a really, really hard job and it must be really tough right now.
‘We wanted to show our support for them.’
It is believed to be the first time a firefighter has been died in the line of duty since January 2023 and 19 have been killed since the turn of the century.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared his ‘devastation’ at the news and praised the ‘astounding bravery’ of firefighters.
He posted 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.’
Around ten fire crews rushed to Bicester Motion to tackle the blaze in a warehouse at around 6.40pm last night.
The former RAF base is now home to over 50 specialist businesses, which focus on classic car restoration and engineering.
Eyewitnesses described seeing thick ‘black’ smoke in the sky from as far away as Oxford last night and hearing multiple loud explosions.
Vikas Talwar, 40, who lives in a housing estate 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.’
Julie Stocker saw the flames from her bedroom window and described the deaths as ‘devastating’.
The 46-year-old, who lives across the road from Bicester Motion, said: ‘We could hear the crackle of the fire and then obviously the various explosions and stuff.
‘(The smoke) was going very high. It was a mixture of white smoke and then really thick black smoke.
‘We were praying that obviously no-one was injured, but sadly that’s not the case. It’s devastating.’
The stay-at-home mother said she is concerned about her relatives living in Bicester where the ‘potentially hazardous’ smoke was blown.
She said the site where the fire took place is usually ‘very busy’ and has seen workers being turned away by police on Friday morning.
Sharing a video of the blaze last night, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley Matthew Barber described the situation as ‘awful’.
He posted on X: ‘An awful situation in Bicester this evening at Bicester Heritage.
‘Officers from Thames Valley Police are assisting Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service in dealing with the significant incident.’
Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite Bicester Motion, also reported hearing ‘multiple bangs’ as he saw clouds of dark smoke fill the sky.
‘As we walked home and got closer to the smoke it seemed to get blacker and we heard the sirens,’ he said.
‘Multiple fire engines and police cars went past us and as we got to the corner at the bottom of the road ash started to fall and you could see the sheer scale of what was happening.
‘Loud bangs have been constantly going off and multiple helicopters are still circling the site.’
Bicester Motion, formerly known as Bicester Heritage, is home to over 50 specialist businesses, which focus on classic car restoration and engineering.
Historic England say the iconic airfield is ‘the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase’ in the country.
In a statement, Bicester Motion described the bravery of emergency services as ‘overwhelming’ as they said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the three deaths.
The company 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.
‘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.’
Molly Pipe told the BBC that the smoke could be smelt ‘from perhaps half a mile away’.
Meanwhile, local councillor Sam Holland said he saw the blaze ‘from a distance’ adding: ‘There’s lots of emergency vehicles.
‘Bicester Motion were meeting there earlier. I had spoken to someone as they were leaving. I hope there is nobody hurt or worse.’
Oxford City Council lowered the City Flag flying over the 1930’s extension of Oxford Town Hall to half-mast today to mourn the loss of the three victims.
Councilor Susan Brown, leader of the city council said in a statement: ‘On behalf of Oxford City Council and the City of Oxford, I want to express my condolences to the families of those firefighters and the member of the public, who have tragically lost their lives in the fire at Bicester Motion.
‘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.’
A Bicester Motion spokesperson said: ‘Further to the incident, emergency services have been called and are attending on-site.
‘We appreciate the concern from local residents and wish to communicate that the company is working with the emergency services and a further statement will be made as appropriate.’
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Four fire and rescue crews remain in attendance at an ongoing serious incident at Bicester Motion having been called out at 18:39 yesterday evening (15 May).
‘The fire is still ongoing but is under control. Other support appliances remain on scene including a hydraulic platform, a water carrier, a command unit and a high volume pumping unit
‘Advice for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows has been lifted. Roads that were previously closed are now being opened but traffic is heavy.’
A South Central Ambulance spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 18.57 this evening to reports of a serious incident at Bicester Motion.
‘We sent a robust command structure to support staff and are currently on scene as the incident is ongoing’.
MP for Bicester and Woodstock Calum Miller said in a statement: ‘I am heartbroken to learn that three people lost their lives in the fire yesterday at Bicester Motion.
‘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. 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. This is a devastating moment for our community. I know it will express its support and care for all those affected.’
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.
‘My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.’
Another resident who lives near Bicester Motion said she thought the ‘popping’ noises were gunshots and described the deaths as ‘very sad, very shocking’.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said: ‘When we looked out the window … obviously it was a fire. But later on, there were like proper explosions.’
She said her neighbours were packing bags in case they were evacuated from their homes.
The Fire Brigades Union said: ‘The Fire Brigades Union is aware of a tragic incident at Bicester, in which one member of the public and two firefighters have been confirmed dead.
‘Our thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues.
‘The Fire Brigades Union will provide whatever support is required in the days ahead, and in time we will investigate what happened.’
Bicester resident Janine McKenna Jones, 48, described seeing ‘black ash’ near her home following the fatal fire.
She told the PA news agency: ‘When I got home there was this massive black ash… sort of smoke.
‘They closed the road at some point in the evening and I think it was closed until maybe 5am because you could still see the flashing lights.
‘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 is still keeping windows shut at her home due to the smell of smoke.
Ms Jones added: ‘I just read about the deaths on the news and it’s just sad really. And it’s a shame because obviously it’s local people so it’s always a shame too when people lose their lives trying to help others.’