A fire broke out at an airbase in Gloucestershire that is currently being used by the US military. Emergency services rushed to RAF Fairford in the early hours of Sunday morning to extinguish the fire, which appeared to have caused the building’s roof to collapse.
Fortunately, there have been no reported injuries, and no RAF aircraft were damaged in the incident. However, the condition of any US equipment affected by the fire remains uncertain.
The US military was given permission by the Government to operate from RAF Fairford, located near the Wiltshire border, in response to the conflict in Iran. The airbase has been utilized by Washington for deploying bombers on defensive missions against Tehran, sparking protests with around 200 individuals demonstrating outside the base, carrying signs advocating for peace and opposing US presence at British bases.
Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed their response to a fire in a commercial building in the Fairford area, advising residents to keep doors and windows closed due to smoke. The Ministry of Defence stated that the fire originated from wiring in an old, unused building. A US Airforce spokesperson clarified that the fire occurred in an unoccupied area, with no injuries and the fire now contained, posing no threat to the base or the local community.
The spokesperson expressed gratitude for the assistance received and emphasized the safety of personnel and surrounding areas as a top priority. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, with further updates to be provided as information becomes available.