Bicester fire latest: Two firefighters dead after huge blaze at former RAF base

Three people including two firefighters have died after “explosions” were heard as a huge fire ripped through a former RAF base in Oxfordshire.

Two firefighters died while tackling the inferno at Bicester Motion on Thursday, with two more rushed to hospital with serious injuries, Oxfordshire County Council said.

A member of the public also died, the council added. Thick black smoke could be seen billowing in the sky for miles following the fire at the site which had been converted for use by businesses.

Kieran McGurk, a product director who lives opposite the site, said he heard “multiple bangs” and saw a plume of smoke while out walking.

Ten fire and rescue crews rushed to tackle the fire, which prompted a major response and warnings for local residents to stay indoors.

A social media user shared images of massive black plumes of smoke coming from the site – adding they had heard “multiple explosions”.

Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said: “It is with a very heavy heart that we today report the loss of two of our firefighters.”