Huge blaze tears by RAF base utilized by US navy bombers as 999 crews swarm
Multiple emergency service crews were scrambled to tackle the fire at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in the early hours of Sunday morning. Images from the scene suggested the roof of the building had caved in
There has been a huge blaze at RAF Fairford(Image: idealo)
A fire has broken out at an airbase in Gloucestershire currently being used by the US military.
Numerous emergency service teams were dispatched to combat the blaze at RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday morning. Photos from the scene indicate that the roof of the building has collapsed.
There have been no reported injuries and no RAF aircraft have been damaged as a result of the fire, although the condition of any US equipment is still uncertain. The Government gave the American air force permission to use RAF Fairford, near the Wiltshire border, following the start of the war in Iran. Washington has utilised the facility to dispatch bombers on defensive missions against Tehran.
The airbase has been the target of protests, with around 200 people previously assembling outside its gates, reports the Mirror.
Protesters held signs reading “no war on Iran”, “US out of British bases” and “stop Trump’s deadly war”.
A spokesperson for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service stated: “We are responding to a fire in a commercial building in the Fairford area. Residents are advised to keep their doors and windows closed due to smoke from the fire.”
It comes after a woman was arrested following the tragic deaths of two boys, aged one and three, in a house fire in Wolverhampton.
The woman, in her 30s, remains in custody this afternoon as inquiries into the Mason Street blaze, which occurred around 8.30pm on Friday, continue.
DCI Kylie Westlake, from the public protection unit, said: “This is a truly tragic incident and our thoughts remain very much with those who loved the children who have been lost.
“We understand the shock and distress this awful incident will have caused to many people and we are working at pace to ascertain exactly what has happened. Officers have arrested a woman on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of two children.
“While we would ask people not to speculate about this or the wider incident, we would ask that anyone who can help with our enquiries, and who is yet to speak with us, to get in contact.”
Two other children and woman had already fled the house before emergency services arrived on the scene of the incident. These three individuals did not require hospital treatment.
Investigators have announced they are working with the fire service to establish the exact circumstances of the fire. Officer are currently carrying out door-to-door enquires and reviewing local CCTV footage in the area.
During the blaze firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and rescued two young children. Sadly despite the best efforts of the emergency services nothing could be done to save them and they were pronounced dead at the scene.
