Fire service statement after ‘black smoke’ seen over Oxford

People in the city were left speculating after a huge plume of smoke was seen rising from the Cowley area in Oxford on Tuesday (March 7) from about 7pm.

The fire and rescue service confirmed that firefighters were called at about 6.45pm on Tuesday to an incident in Oxford Road, Garsington.

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The large black smoke cloud billows over the city. (Image: Rod Hiles / X)

Black smoke was produced when two cars and a kerosene oil tank caught fire, also damaging the outside of a home on the road.

Firefighters deployed from fire stations in Slade, Woodstock and Kidlington battled the blaze for about three hours to bring it safely back under control.

A spokesperson for the fire service said: “Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called at 6.46pm yesterday evening, sending fire engines from Slade, Woodstock and Kidlington fire stations to Oxford Road, Garsington.

The large black smoke cloud billows over the city. (Image: Chantelle Gunby / X)

“The incident involved two cars and a kerosene oil tank destroyed by fire, with the exterior of a domestic property also affected by the fire.

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“Crews wearing breathing apparatus used hosereels to deal with the fire.

“They departed initially at 9.48pm, however, as a precaution carried out a reinspection at midnight.”

Pictures shared of the smoke show it was visible from across city, with one resident in Iffley spotting the incident from their window, with emergency vehicle sirens heard in the distance.