Fire at historic motoring and aviation site Bicester Motion

A large fire has broken out at a motoring and aviation heritage site in Oxfordshire.

Bicester Motion, in Bicester, Oxfordshire, confirmed on Thursday evening that emergency services had been called to its site.

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said 10 crews had been at the site since 18:30 BST and advised people to avoid the area, as well as telling local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows until further notice.

A Bicester Motion spokesperson said: “The company is working with the emergency services and a further statement will be made as appropriate.”

Simon Jones, who lives across the road, said he had been “hearing a few bangs”.

Mr Jones took an aerial photograph of the fire and said the blaze was “still bad”, but “looks contained in the hanger, probably full of expensive cars”.

On Facebook, Bicester Town Councillor Sam Holland said: “Very serious fire in northern Bicester.

“Do avoid the area near Bicester Heritage if possible.”

BBC reporter Molly Pipe was on the scene and said: “You could smell the smoke from perhaps half a mile away.

“Residents came out to the closed roads nearby to see what was happening.

“One had her jumper pulled up over her nose against the smoke.”