Three people have died after a huge fire ripped through an ex-RAF base in Oxfordshire on Thursday evening.
The inferno broke out at Bicester Motion following multiple reports of explosions, with large plumes of smoke subsequently being visible for miles.
Oxfordshire County Council confirmed two firefighters and a member of the public had been killed during the blaze.
Two more firefighters have been seriously injured.
The fire broke out a former RAF base in Oxfordshire
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Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters.
"Families have been informed and are being supported.
"Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for privacy to be respected.
"We cannot release any details at present, but will provide further information as soon as we can."
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Emergency services responded to the incident last night
PA
Responding to the tragic update, Sir Keir Starmer said: "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."
Emergency services rushed to the scene at the motoring and aviation heritage site at 6.39pm last night.
Dramatic images shared on social media showed dark smoke billowing from the site, with one user claiming to have heard "multiple explosions".
The former airfield, previously known as Bicester Heritage, is home to over 50 specialist businesses focusing on classic car restoration and engineering.
Residents had been urged to stay indoors, with many businesses expected to stay shut over the weekend.
Local residents reported seeing clouds of smoke fill the sky as the blaze took hold at the historic location.
Grab from PA video of emergency services at the scene after a large fire broke out at Bicester Motion, the site of a former RAF base in Oxfordshire
PA
Around 10 fire crews have been battling the blaze at Bicester Motion since approximately 6.30pm on Thursday evening.
Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service confirmed: "Ten fire and rescue crews are currently attending an ongoing serious incident at Bicester Motion from 18:39 this evening."
A South Central Ambulance spokesman added: "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."
Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite Bicester Motion, provided a firsthand account of the unfolding disaster.
"As we walked home and got closer to the smoke it seemed to get blacker and we heard the sirens," he said.
McGurk described how emergency vehicles rushed past as they approached the area.
"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," he recounted.
A screengrab of the police cordon still in place this morning
PA
A Bicester Motion spokesman also acknowledged the incident in a statement.
He 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."
The statement offered limited details as the situation continued to develop through Thursday evening.
