As it happened: Two firefighters and member of public die in fire at Oxfordshire business park

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Summary

Two firefighters and a member of the public have died in a large fire at a business park and former RAF base in Oxfordshire
In an emotional statement, the county's chief fire officer praises the "unwavering bravery" of emergency services and says more details on the victims will come later
The firefighters died while tackling the blaze at Bicester Motion on Thursday - the fire is now under control and the cause isn't yet known
The member of the public is described as a "close friend" of Bicester Motion, which is home to dozens of businesses specialising in aviation and motoring
Two others firefighters are in hospital with serious injuries
A local resident describes hearing "pops and crackles and bangs" and seeing large plumes of smoke on Thursday night

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Drone footage shows the blaze with huge plumes of smoke

Live Reporting

Edited by Dan Kerins and Jenna Moon

Community in mourning after devastating Bicester Motion fire kills threepublished at 18:12 British Summer Time 16 May
Seher Asaf
Live reporter
Image source, PA Media
Image caption,
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall was visibly emotional while briefing media this afternoon
Today, residents of Oxfordshire woke up to the devastating aftermath of a large fire in Bicester Motion, a business park and former RAF base.
The blaze, which broke out on Thursday, claimed the lives of two firefighters and a member of the public. Two more firefighters remain in hospital with serious injuries.
From their homes, some witnesses saw thick smoke billowing out of the historic site and heard explosive noises.
At the scene today, a visibly emotional Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall commended the "unwavering bravery" of emergency services.
The fire is under control, but the cause still remains unknown. Authorities say an "unexplainable death probe" is under way.
Tributes have been pouring in from across the country, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling it "devastating". Meanwhile, the local community has been gathering outside Bicester Fire Station to mourn and lay flowers.
We'll be ending our live coverage of the incident for now, but you can find further updates in our main news story.
Food delivery driver: 'Bizarre' sight of smoke plumes over townpublished at 18:04 British Summer Time 16 May
James Ford, an Uber Eats driver from Bicester, says he was working in the area and felt "very confused" as large numbers of emergency service vehicles "zoomed past".
He soon saw the "bizarre" sight of the huge smoke plumes emanating from Bicester Motion.
"I got closer and the smoke was coming out fast," he says.
Upon hearing about the deaths this morning, he says: "I’m 24, I’ve lived in Bicester for many years now, and just seeing that is very upsetting.
"It’s been very quiet [in Bicester today]. I drove past the fire station and there are loads of people putting lots of flowers out for them, and it’s so respectful and nice and kind to see that people are doing that."
Fire Fighter's Charity chief exec says 'impact felt deeply'published at 17:41 British Summer Time 16 May
Sherine Wheeler, chief executive of the Fire Fighter's Charity, says everyone in the firefighting community is feeling "heartbroken".
"You could see how difficult it was to watch Oxfordshire's chief fire officer Rob MacDougall briefing the media earlier today, struggling to hold back his emotions," she tells BBC Radio Oxford.
"It’s very rare and tragic to have the loss of two firefighters alongside a member of the public and I think the impact of that is being felt deeply.... For a lot of people who serve in the fire service it brings the reality of the risks they hold crashing home."
She adds: "They really are hugely courageous and as we’ve seen in the tragic events of last night, sometimes, aside from holding big risks to their health and well being, they really make the ultimate sacrifice to keep their communities safe."
Bicester MP 'overwhelmed' by professionalism of firefighterspublished at 17:34 British Summer Time 16 May
Speaking on BBC Radio Oxford's special on the fire, Calum Miller, the MP for Bicester and Woodstock, says he's overwhelmed with the professionalism and bravery demonstrated by the firefighters.
"Many are dealing with the deaths of close colleagues themselves," he says. "It's inspiring and humbling."
He adds that the community has rallied together and that he saw people offering food to firefighters during his site visit.
On the investigation, Miller says the fire was under control but still burning when he visited the site and that investigations cannot start until the building has been declared safe.
"In the days ahead there will be opportunity and time for investigations to get started," he says.
King's representative says 'heartfelt sympathy to all'published at 17:16 British Summer Time 16 May
Marjorie Neasham Glasgow, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, has released a statement.
Glasgow, the King's representative in Oxfordshire, says: "I know that His Majesty The King would want me to on his sincerest condolences to all those affected by the tragic news of yesterday's fire at Bicester Motion.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives and with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service who mourn the loss of their colleagues, and who put themselves in harm's way for the safety of others.
"We think all of those who have worked tirelessly to develop Bicester Motion into the world class enterprise it is today, and on a site of historical importance. We offer our and heartfelt sympathy to them all."
Flower memorial outside fire station continues to growpublished at 16:59 British Summer Time 16 May
The floral tributes left by well wishers outside Bicester Fire Station have grown exponentially across the day.
Donna Mulligan, who lives close to the fire station, tells us: "I wanted to pay my respects... it’s awful.
"I didn’t realise how upset I’d be. I didn’t know anyone involved but it’s horrible…. It’s just tragic."
BBC Radio Oxford's special programme to begin shortlypublished at 16:57 British Summer Time 16 May
BBC Radio Oxford's special programme dedicated to the events in Bicester is about to begin.
The programme will be broadcast live on DAB and 95.2 FM in Oxfordshire. You can also listen to it right here by clicking listen live at the top of this page, or on BBC Sounds.
We'll be bringing you key moments from the programme here.
Deaths of two firefighters at Bicester Motion marks fourth such incident in 15 yearspublished at 16:40 British Summer Time 16 May
Home Office statistics, external show that this is the fourth time a firefighter has died while tackling a blaze in England in the past 15 years.
It is also the first time two firefighters have been killed in the same incident since Jim Shears, 35, and Alan Bannon, 38, died in a fire at Shirley Towers in Southampton in April 2010.
They were overcome by sudden and extreme temperatures in the fire which started in a flat on the ninth floor of the 15-storey block after a curtain was left on a lamp.
Image source, Family photos
Image caption,
Jim Shears (left) and Alan Bannon died in a fire at a 15-storey tower block
Stephen Hunt, 38, died tackling a blaze at Paul's Hair World in Oldham Street, Manchester, in July 2013.
He was among 60 firefighters called to the building to fight a blaze believed to have been deliberately started by two 15-year-old girls who were smoking cigarettes nearby.
Image source, GMFRS
Image caption,
A jury concluded Stephen Hunt was unlawfully killed
Outside England, Barry Martin, 38, tackled a fire in Edinburgh in January 2023 at the former Jenners department store, and died in hospital four days later.
The investigation into the fire on Princes Street has not concluded.
Image source, SFRS
Image caption,
Dad-of-two Barry Martin died after being critically injured in a department store fire
BBC Radio Oxford will host special programme on firepublished at 16:20 British Summer Time 16 May
BBC Radio Oxford will be hosting a special programme this evening dedicated to the events in Bicester.
We'll be updating key moments from the programme right here, but you can also tune in from home.
The programme will be broadcast live at 17:00 BST on DAB and 95.2 FM in Oxfordshire.
You can also listen to it on BBC Sounds.
Resident says she is laying flowers 'in thanks'published at 15:56 British Summer Time 16 May
Image caption,
Phoebe Bowman laid flowers outside Bicester Fire Station
Phoebe Bowman was near where the fire happened yesterday evening.
She says at first she thought it was foggy, but then she saw the "never ending" line of emergency service vehicles and realised what had happened.
She says she's laid some flowers outside Bicester Fire Station today to show her appreciation for what the emergency services do.
"I don't think a lot of thanks and things like this go out to firefighters and police," she said.
"I just thought I'd do my part and put some flowers down."
'Amazing' to see community coming togetherpublished at 15:37 British Summer Time 16 May
Image caption,
Jamie Jessett said the fire was "devastating"
Jamie Jessett, from Bicester, says he went to school with one of the firefighters who died. He declined to name them to the BBC.
He's among those who have laid flowers outside of Bicester Fire Station, and says the fire is "devastating".
But he says it is "amazing" to see the community come together to pay their respects.
"That's what we need, especially at this moment in time," he adds.
Fire probe currently 'not a criminal investigation' - Thames Valley Policepublished at 15:28 British Summer Time 16 May
Thames Valley Police have launched an "unexplained death probe" following the fire but say it is "currently not a criminal investigation".
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe says the probe is being led by "our major crime team".
"This is currently not a criminal investigation, but we will follow the evidence as our inquiries continue," he says.
"We will continue to have officers at the scene for a number of days to ensure the public remain safe."
St Edburg's Church opens memorial book, will hold service this eveningpublished at 15:22 British Summer Time 16 May
A book of condolence for the victims of the fire has been opened at St Edburg’s Church in Bicester.
Reverend Sarah Mortimer says the church is open for people to "just walk in and find a quiet space."
A service of prayer and reflection will be held at the church at 19:00 BST this evening, and Mortimer says everyone is welcome, regardless of faith.
"Our hearts go out to all those that have been affected by this devastating tragedy, particularly the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives and who are still critically ill as well," she tells the BBC.
"We recognise that this is a grief that will affect the whole of the Bicester community... we recognise the shock, and the sense of tragedy and horror that will be facing everybody at this time."
What we know - and don't know - about the Bicester business park firepublished at 15:09 British Summer Time 16 May
Oxfordshire County Council confirmed this morning that three people have died in a fire in Bicester. The blaze started at a historic site and former RAF base that now operates at a business park.
Here's what we know so far about the situation.
- Two firefighters and a member of the public died during a blaze at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire
- One of the firefighters who died was a London leading firefighter and sub officer on retained duty with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service - the other one was with Oxfordshire Fire Service
- Two more firefighters are seriously injured in hospital
- The fire began around 18:30 BST on Thursday and is now under control
- Police and fire crews are still on the scene
We still don't know the identities of the people who died, nor do we know the exact cause of the fire.
We'll continue to monitor for updates right here, so stick with us.
Heartbreaking to watch fire chief struggle to hold back emotionpublished at 14:52 British Summer Time 16 May
Jon Cuthill
Reporting from Bicester
Image source, PA Media
It was heartbreaking to watch Oxfordshire's chief fire officer Rob MacDougall struggle to hold back his emotions as he paid tribute to the two firefighters and member of public who died just a few hundred yards from where he stood as he delivered a briefing to the media earlier.
It must be the press conference that no chief ever wants to give - paying tribute the colleagues who had gone to work never to come back - and to the two firefighters who remain in hospital with serious injuries.
With the press gathered on the verge opposite to the entrance of Bicester Motion, microphone stands clustered together and the smell of smoke still in the air, the moments where the chief paused to compose himself spoke more perhaps of the pride and the devastation than perhaps even the tribute.
'The smell across town was pretty acrid,' says town councillorpublished at 14:37 British Summer Time 16 May
Sam Holland, a councillor for Bicester Town Council's East Ward, says he was three quarters of a mile from the site when the fire broke out.
He tells BBC Radio Oxford: “You could see pretty significant smoke plumes rising across northern Bicester, so it was clear very early on that this was going to be a serious fire.”
"As the night progressed it became more prevalent. The smell across town was pretty acrid and the advice from the fire service was to stay indoors and close windows,” he adds.
Holland describes the evening as “pretty devastating,” and says the news this morning was “just awful.”
He says that Bicester Town Council pays full tribute to those who lost their lives, as well as their friends and colleagues at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service.
You can listen to the full interview below.
Media caption,
Councillor Sam Holland describes what he saw the night of the fire.
National Fire Chiefs Council head 'devastated' over fire deathspublished at 14:19 British Summer Time 16 May
"I am devastated by the news that two firefighters have lost their lives responding to a major incident in Bicester on Thursday evening,” Phillip Garrigan, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council says in a statement.
“I am also deeply saddened that a member of the public has also died in the incident," he adds.
"Our firefighters are the very best of us, their courage and comion is what make them so very special.”
He says that is thoughts are with their “families, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time."
BBC Radio Oxford will host special this eveningpublished at 14:01 British Summer Time 16 May
BBC Radio Oxford will be hosting a special programme on Friday evening dedicated to the events in Bicester.
The programme will be broadcast live between 17:00 BST and 18:00 BST on DAB and 95.2 FM in Oxfordshire.
It will also be available on BBC Sounds.
Flower memorial appears at Bicester Fire Stationpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 16 May
Martin Eastaugh
Reporting from Bicester
There has been a steady stream of people coming to lay flowers outside Bicester Fire Station following last night's tragedy.
One woman was in tears, and two of South Central Ambulance also came by in their ambulance to add flowers to the tributes.
Another bouquet was left by staff from the fire station.
Tributes pour in for those who died in Bicester business park firepublished at 13:43 British Summer Time 16 May
Tributes and condolences have continued to pour in following the deaths of two firefighters and a member of the public in the Bicester fire. Here are some of the latest:
- Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party: "I think it's an absolutely horrifying incident," she says. "My heart goes out to the families of those people who have lost their lives."
- Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer: "My thoughts are with their families and friends. The bravery of our firefighters is astounding"
- Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner: "My heartfelt condolences go out to the families, colleagues, and all affected by this tragic incident - and devastating loss," she says in a post on X
- Fire Brigades Union: "This is terrible news. Our thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues," the group writes on social media
- David Hingley, leader of the Cherwell District Council: “This is a deeply upsetting event for our district, and we share in the sadness and shock that many are feeling," he says