TWO firefighters and a member of the public have died following a large fire at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire.

Another two firefighters are in hospital after suffering serious injuries as 10 crews tackled the blaze at the Bicester Motion site from 6.39pm on Thursday.

Eyewitnesses reported explosions and thick black smoke from the site, which is used by classic car restoration and engineering businesses.

London fire commissioner Andy Roe said that one of those killed was a leading London firefighter who was on retained duty with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS).

OFRS chief fire officer Rob MacDougall gave an emotional statement at the scene of the fire, saying: “I am immensely proud and grateful for the exemplary multiagency response and the unwavering bravery demonstrated by all the emergency services personnel.”

In a statement, Bicester Motion, formerly known as Bicester Heritage, said: “We are deeply saddened to share the tragic news that two firefighters and a close friend of the site have lost their lives.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the deaths as “devastating news,” adding: “The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery.”

Oxfordshire MP Anneliese Dodds paid tribute to the victims in a Commons speech, saying she wanted to convey her and Bicester and Woodstock MP Calum Miller’s “deep sorrow and solidarity with the families of those who have died and our fervent and heartfelt best wishes to the two firefighters who remain in a serious condition.”

National Fire Chiefs Council head Philip Garrigan said that he was “devastated” by the news of the fatalities.

“Our firefighters are the very best of us,” he added. “Their courage and compassion is what make them so very special.”

A Fire Brigades Union spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues,” promising that the union “will provide whatever support is required in the days ahead and, in time, we will investigate what happened.”

The deaths come less than two weeks after Firefighters Memorial Day on May 4. 

The last firefighter to die in the line of duty in Britain was Barry Martin, who was critically injured during a blaze at the former Jenners department store in Edinburgh on January 2023.