Upper Heyford is near Bicester, the US’ largest former airbase in Europe. Loud explosions. Firefighters killed and injured.
Thu 11:44 pm +00:00, 15 May 2025 3A huge fire has broken out at the site of a former RAF base in Oxfordshire, with witnesses reporting loud explosions and thick black smoke billowing from the site.
Some 10 fire and rescue crews are tackling the blaze at Bicester, which has prompted a major response and warnings for nearby residents to stay indoors.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said on Thursday: “Ten fire and rescue crews are currently attending an ongoing serious incident at Bicester Motion from 18:39 this evening.
“We would advise people to avoid the area, and for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice.”
Sam Holland, a town councillor, said the blaze was at Bicester Motion, a historic motoring and aviation centre on the former airbase.
It is home to more than 50 specialist businesses focused on classic car restoration and engineering.
“I saw it (the fire) from a distance,” Cllr Holland said. “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.”
Historic England claims the airfield is “the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase” in Britain.
Bicester Motion said in a statement: “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.”
A social media user shared images of massive black plumes of smoke coming from the site – adding they had heard “multiple explosions”.
Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite Bicester Motion – formerly known as Bicester Heritage – said he heard “multiple bangs” and saw a plume of smoke while out walking.
“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.”
The cause of the fire is not yet known.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service have been contacted for comment.
Former RAF base hit by huge blaze
Upper Heyford Air base | Upper Heyford village website
Fire at Bicester Heritage site as smoke seen billowing | This is Oxfordshire
The pictures look like a former airfield, and not part of the modern commercial section of Bicester Motion.
It is possible that munitions were exploding judging by the reports from locals.
The site looks military in nature from the air. See video above.
Here’s one they did earlier!
Video of Bicester Motion – lots of empty sheds built at great expense while vintage cars pretend to race…..‘The Command Works’, Bicester Motion
Still a potential military facility – Former RAF Upper Heyford, Bicester, Oxfordshire – Landmark Chambers
A 5 week call-in Inquiry in October 08, January and March 2009 into a massive redevelopment scheme, promoted by the North Oxford Consortium (represented by Martin Kingston QC), for a 505 hectare site at former US airforce base. During the Cold War, the site was one of the largest US Air Force bases in Europe and most of the military infrastructure remains, including a battle command centre, bomb stores and 56 hardened aircraft shelters. The proposal was for a new settlement of 1,075 dwellings together with associated works and facilities, including employment uses, community uses, a primary school, playing fields and other physical and social infrastructure. In addition to the housing, employment and sustainability elements of the proposals, there were significant conservation and heritage issues, relating to scheduled monuments and listed buildings on the site, which has also been designated a Conservation Area. Graeme was jointly instructed (leading Gwion Lewis) by Cherwell District Council and Oxford County Council. The Councils opposed the scheme because it conflicted with a Comprehensive Development Brief prepared by Cherwell to achieve strategic long term objectives for the site. A large number of related enforcement and temporary planning permission appeals have been adjourned and remain to be determined. It is generating considerable media interest: the BBCs coveragecan be followed here.
Interesting info Tap, but difficult to judge whether military hardware was involved or the heritage cars, an attack on the local economy or a military attack – Russia?
Thanks, New. My feeling is that the car thing is window dressing and the site has military useage potential, which can be made of use of in time of war. Is it the old Upper Heyford? If so B52s can land there and load up. The primary threat to Russia is from missiles being fired deep into the hinterland. And drones. Lots of loud bands were heard which would be consistent with exploding ordnance. There are numerous similar incidents taking place – reported as mysterious fires with no explanation, or fireworks exploding. No one has used the firework excuse so far. Vintage cars have petrol tanks? !! Not enough to kill and injure half a dozen firefighters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=du9wS_jPn-Q Were the firefighters aware they were up against a munitions storage site? Or was the secret storage site kept secret even from them? Not exactly fair. The Russians clearly know where the missiles are stored even if local firefighters are kept in the dark
Yes I agree Tap, they are good at putting a spin on the news and to achieve this they have got no care for loss of life!