Oxford News
Oxfordshire homes powerless after huge crop fire – update
Firefighters were called to extinguish around 100 acres of field in Aston Tirrold, near Cholsey, at about 1.30pm on Monday, July 6.
Flames could be seen quickly moving across the crops as shocked onlookers stood and watched.
Smoke billowed into a thick cloud above as the fire continued to ravage the arable farmland.
In an update on Tuesday morning, Oxfordshire fire and rescue service said crews crews left the scene at 9.20pm on Monday having dealt with the fire
Crews had been able to scale back from 14 fire engines to 4 at 6pm yesterday.
The cause is unknown but not though to be suspicious.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson shut down Cotswolds pub for evening
Scottish & Southern Electricity Network said it has had to isolate power due to safety concerns on its network in the area.
Engineers arrived on the scene at around 5.15pm to fix the unplanned power cut affecting 537 properties.
“Where possible, we will always try to keep the power on, however, there are situations like this where we need to isolate the power to keep people safe,” a spokesman said.
Although a cause has not been determined, field fires are most commonly caused by farm machinery sparks from combine blades hitting stones, hot exhausts igniting crop dust and worn engine bearings.
Arson is also common as well as discarded smoking materials and natural events like lightning strikes.
Dean, whose surname has not been released by Thames Valley Police, was last seen in the Cowley area of the city on Wednesday (July 1).
He is now believed to be in the central Oxford area, according to officers working the case.
READ MORE: Police ‘concerned’ as 14-year-old Oxfordshire schoolgirl disappears
The 38-year-old is described as a white male, 5’9″ of stocky build with brown hair. Dean has tattoos on his neck.
An appeal was released to the public from Thames Valley Police on Friday afternoon (July 10), including a photograph of the missing man.
The accompanying statement said: “Have you seen Dean?
“We are concerned for the well-being of Dean, so if you have any relevant information or have seen him, please call us on 101, referencing 43260342263.”
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus is the UK’s largest space cluster, and the gateway will be a dedicated hub for the space and defence sectors, driving national and global collaboration between government, the academic world, and industry.
It will focus on linking innovation to investment, building partnerships to shape tomorrow’s space and defence economy, and helping businesses to sustainably start and grow in the UK.
READ MORE: The King visits Oxford University college
The gateway will be based in a new co-working and events space at the heart of the Harwell Space Cluster.
Following the launch, King Charles said to staff based at the campus: “I congratulate you for all your efforts and look forward to seeing all the developments that take place here over the years.”
Among the guests at the campus for the launch was British astronaut Tim Peake, who has visited the International Space Station.
For more than 60 years RAL (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) Space has provided the specialist expertise that underpins space applications around the world, including earth observation work that supports action on climate change, biodiversity loss, and resilience to environmental change.
It has contributed to more than 200 instruments in space and has played a key role in establishing the UK as a competitive force in the global space economy.
Space minister Liz Lloyd, who attended the visit, said: “The opening of the Space and Defence Gateway is a significant moment for the UK’s space sector, and His Majesty The King’s visit to Harwell underlines the vital contribution this cluster makes to our economy.”
RAL Space is one of the anchor organisations of the Harwell Space Cluster and a cornerstone of the UK’s space sector.
The cluster is Europe’s largest concentration of space organisations, supporting more than 120 public and private organisations, alongside more than 330 defence and security organisations.
Dr Barbara Ghinelli, director of Innovation Clusters and Harwell Campus, said: “I look forward to working alongside our partners in the gateway across the UK and internationally to help our businesses thrive while making a real difference to the world.”
Earlier in the day, the King was in Oxford, visiting the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, and Oriel College, which is celebrating its 700th anniversary.
Alisha, whose surname has not been released by Thames Valley Police, was last seen on Monday (July 6) travelling to Banbury.
Police believe that the 14-year-old missing girl may be using the train line.
READ MORE: ‘God help us all’- Edwina Currie shocked at Ann Widdecombe murder probe
Alisha is a black female of slim build, approximately 5ft tall, with long black braided hair.
She was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved crop top, black cycling shorts, white socks, and black Crocs.
An appeal from Thames Valley Police this afternoon (Friday, July 10) said: “Have you seen Alisha, age 14, missing from Chinnor?”
“We are concerned for the well-being of Alisha, so if you have any relevant information or have seen her, please call us on 101, referencing 43260343674.”
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoAll contestants taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2026
-
UK News3 weeks agoUK defence spending plan ‘well short of what’s required’ and harder choices needed, says John Healey – UK politics live | Politics
-
UK News4 weeks agoJohn Healey resigns as defence secretary in disagreement with Starmer over spending – UK politics live | Politics
-
UK News4 weeks agoTwo arrests and three police officers injured in protest at asylum hotel
-
UK News4 weeks agoGermany v Curaçao: World Cup 2026 – live | World Cup 2026
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoKing Charles and Camilla absent from Oxfordshire royal funeral
-
Student Life3 weeks agoHome Office proposes doubling of Campsfield capacity
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoEngland transplant team lift the Four Nations trophy