Fire at Bicester Heritage with huge plumes of smoke across the town
People are being urged to stay indoors and close windows
Last updated 15th May 2025
Emergency services are dealing with a 'serious incident' as huge plumes of smoke can be seen after a fire broke out at Bicester Heritage.
It's as a fire has broken out at Bicester Heritage, which is a motoring and aviation site located on a former RAF base in Oxfordshire.
The fire service has confirmed 10 fire crews are currently attending the scene for an "ongoing serious incident" at Bicester Motion from 18:39 this evening.
They are advising people to avoid the area and for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice.
Some nearby residents have said on social media they’ve heard “bangs” and sounds of an “explosion” coming from the former RAF base.
Kieran McGurk says he “spotted white smoke coming from the the north side of Bicester, and as we got closer to it, started hearing a lot of loud bangs.
He added: “Then the smoke turned black pretty quickly. After that, there are an awful lot of sirens a number of police cars and fire engines were on the scene.
“It appears the one of the original World War 2 hangars is on fire.”
An Air Ambulance has also been seen landing at the site, although it's not yet known if there were any casualties.
Matthew Barber, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, is among those reacting to the fire.
He said: "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".
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue say, “stay in and close windows and doors”.
They added: “Make sure to close windows and doors and consider turning off air-conditioning.”
Bicester Motion, owners of the site, have put out a statement on the incident which reads: "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."
Thames Valley Police and the South Central Ambulance Service have also responded to the incident.
Historic England claim the iconic airfield is "the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase" in Britain.
The cause of the fire is not yet known.