On Saturday evening (May 2), smoke could be seen rising from the ground on Cowley Road outside Sundaes Gelato, opposite the O2 Academy.

Thames Valley Police cars and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service fire engines arrived at the scene shortly after, and a cordon was put in place with tape.

Members of the public were warned to get back away from the site with flames soon “erupting” from the smoke, according to onlookers.

AS IT HAPPENED: Smoke billows from underground as police tape off Oxford street

Food had to be thrown away because of the fire. (Image: Sundaes Gelato)

Officers warned nearby residents to close their windows as the large plume of black smoke rose and spread around the surrounding streets.

The road reopened around 11pm on Saturday night, but the site of the fire remains cordoned off after the blaze was extinguished.

An employee at Sundaes Gelato, who contacted this newspaper and wished to remain anonymous, has spoken about the impact of the fire.

“It was quite a frightening and uncomfortable experience to witness,” they said.

READ MORE: Watch ‘frightening’ moment flames erupt as staff trapped inside shop

Sundaes Gelato in Oxford. (Image: Sundaes Gelato)

“[I was the] first person to notice the fire and immediately acted to get all customers safely out of the shop.

“As a result of the fire, we suffered a significant loss to the business as we had customers inside and we were open at the time of the incident.

“We had to close the shop until 4pm on Sunday as the electricity cut off our ice cream display and freezer room.

“Because of this, all products were melted and had to be thrown away, and the cleaning cost is more than £1,300.”

The party has candidates running for each of the district council’s 16 wards at the May 7 election.

The party failed to meet the Oxford Mail’s deadline to share a leader’s pitch for the West Oxfordshire District Council elections, but its councillor, Natalie King, has shared comments with the BBC on her party’s proposals after “declining to attend” the broadcaster’s local debate.

READ MORE: Local elections 2026 – what’s at stake in West Oxfordshire?

She said Reform UK winning seats in the district would mean “positive change for residents” and a focus on “ending council waste”.

Ms King said: “This will ensure more of your money goes into the frontline services that you care about, such as filling potholes, bin collections and making safer communities.”

Reform plans for West Oxfordshire include building more infrastructure around housing developments as well as pushing back on the county council’s 20mph rollout.

The party also shared a more general statement on social media from Felix Bloomfield, Reform UK’s Oxfordshire spokesperson.

It said: “Oxfordshire is in crisis. We need common sense governance for our county.”

The post says “new homes should be on brownfield site first”, and that “British people should come first in housing, jobs and services”.

On the congestion charge and LTNs put in place by the local highways authority, Oxfordshire County Council, the party says: “Reform would scrap them all”.

On education, it said: “Oxfordshire’s schools have falling standards and those families with children with Special Educational Needs have been seriously let down across the County.

“Reform UK supports knowledge based education free from gender ideology and climate alarmism.”

Mr Bloomfield finished his Oxfordshire statement on the topic of immigration and asylum.

He said: “Oxfordshire has welcomed many small boat arrivals and asylum hotel costs drain resources from social housing, our NHS and schools.

“Hotels must be reopened for Oxfordshire tourists and locals to help the local economy. British people should come first in housing, jobs and services.

“Let’s take back control of Oxfordshire.”

The three-bedroom house is situated on Main Road in East Hagbourne, a village just outside Didcot.

According to Zoopla, the house is set in a ‘highly sought-after village’ and has ‘large curb appeal’.

The house is surrounded by a gravel frontage, mature plants, and colourful blooms.

It retains a wealth of character and original features, including exposed timber beams and an Inglenook fireplace.

The 997 sq ft house has a utility room, a downstairs toilet, and a spacious dual-aspect open-plan kitchen/dining room.

On the first floor, there is a 13ft main bedroom, a second double room, a single third bedroom, and a modern family bathroom.

There is also a ‘mature’ private rear garden with a timber-built shed.

The house is in a non-estate location surrounded by countryside.

East Hagbourne is a village on the outskirts of Didcot, with a village pub, a primary school, and a parish church.

There are also a number of community groups that host events throughout the year.

The village also has ‘superb transport links’ with Didcot Parkway Station.

The Zoopla listing reads: “A well presented 17th-century detached house, this charming 3-bedroom cottage is nestled in a highly sought-after village within close proximity to exceptional primary and secondary schools.

“The property exudes character and warmth, retaining original features like exposed timber beams and a striking Inglenook fireplace.”