Two firefighters and member of public lifeless after massive hearth at ex-RAF base | EUROtoday

Three folks, together with two firefighters, have been killed as an enormous hearth ripped by means of a former RAF base.

Ten hearth crews rushed to the inferno engulfing a hangar in Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire at 6.30pm final evening.

Workers on the aerodrome, previously RAF Bicester identified for holding basic vehicles and planes, have been evacuated from the scene as neighbours heard a number of explosions and clouds of dense black smoke unfold for miles.

Sir Keir Starmer has paid tribute, 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.”

Two firefighters suffered severe accidents tackling the inferno and stay in hospital. The hearth is now beneath management, Oxfordshire County Council mentioned.

Thames Valley Police have launched an unexplained dying probe following the fireplace however mentioned it’s “currently not a criminal investigation”.

A “leading” London firefighter who was on “retained duty” with the Oxfordshire hearth service was one of many three killed, the capital’s hearth commissioner Andy Roe mentioned.

With his voice breaking and showing to battle again tears, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s chief hearth officer Rob MacDougall, advised reporters on the scene: “I am immensely proud and grateful for the exemplary multi-agency response and unwavering bravery demonstrated by all the emergency services personnel.”

An electrician who was one of many first folks on the website of the fireplace described how hearth brigades “poured in” to the location amid thick smoke.

Fatih Ozzoksel, generally known as Ozzy, mentioned he noticed “massive plumes of smoke” from his backyard on Thursday evening.

The 54-year-old went straight to the location the place he noticed dozens of emergency service automobiles arrive as firefighters “came pouring in”.

“The smoke was unreal, I couldn’t breathe,” he advised 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 proprietor of Ozzy Engineers, who generally visits the pub on the location, mentioned 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 mentioned.

Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives reverse the location, mentioned he heard “multiple bangs” and noticed a plume of smoke whereas out strolling.

The well-known airfield is “the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase” in Britain, in accordance with Historic England.

Bicester resident Janine McKenna Jones, 48, described seeing “black ash” close to her house following the deadly hearth.

“It felt very apocalyptic, if that makes sense, because you see the sky and there’s this big black cloud of smoke,” she mentioned.

She mentioned she continues to be protecting home windows shut at her house because of the scent of smoke.

Bicester Motion, house to hangers holding basic vehicles and plane, mentioned they have been “deeply saddened” by the deaths of the firefighters and a “close friend”.

The firm mentioned: “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, mentioned: “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.”