Firefighter statement after flames rose from Oxford pavement

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

Multiple 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 closing off the road.

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

READ MORE: Tower block evacuated as six fire engines sent to incident

Firefighters have now revealed the cause with a new statement made this morning (Tuesday, May 5).

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were called at 8.26pm on May 2, sending a fire engine from Slade Park fire station to Cowley Road, between East Avenue and Bullingdon Road.

“There was a fire involving underground power cables, and the crew helped to clear smoke from some properties.

“The area was cordoned off, and crews left the location at 11.03pm.”

READ MORE: Two major UK restaurant chains set to close with 3,800 jobs lost

An onlooker, who works nearby and wishes to remain anonymous, told this newspaper: “I have never seen anything like this.

“I felt that flames would explode wider in the area; it is so scary.

“I don’t know if the black smoke could be toxic or harmful, so the rest of the public and I got a good distance away from the area quickly.

“When the incident happened, there was only one police car, but then the fire engines arrived not long after- they are so quick. Then more police cars came.”