The incident occurred at about 11.17pm on Sunday, April 12, when Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a major blaze on the M40 between junction 10 with Ardley and 11 with Banbury.

Crews from Bicester, Kidlington and Banbury Fire Stations attended and tackled the petrol car fire, as fuel spread across the carriageway.

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Commenting on Monday morning, a spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “On arrival crews were faced with a conventionally fuelled car fully involved and a running fuel fire spreading on the carriageway.

Firefighters tackling the blaze on the M40 (Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue)

“Fortunately the owner was able to evacuate safely when the fire started and no injuries were sustained.

“Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using hose-reels, preventing further spread to the carriageway.”

The motorway was fully closed for around 30 minutes before one lane was reopened by Highways England Traffic officers and Thames Valley Police.

#M40 northbound between J10 #Ardley and J11 #Banbury is blocked.

This is due to a vehicle fire.

Emergency services are on scene.

Delays are currently up to 20 minutes on approach. pic.twitter.com/MT2m0BRo2A

— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) April 12, 2026

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National Highways shared an alert for drivers at about midnight on Sunday, warning the M40 northbound between junctions 10 and 11 was blocked due to a vehicle fire.

Delays were initially up to 20 minutes on approach until lane three reopened at approximately 12.25am on Monday.

It was announced that all lanes had reopened at the scene had cleared by about 2.30am.

The hotly-anticipated new series from the legendary writer, broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough dives into the ‘wild’ on our doorsteps – across the gardens of the British Isles.

Released just a month before his 100th birthday, this latest exploration of the natural world is the closest to home the wildlife advocate has stayed across the some 50 TV credits he’s gathered in his 80 year broadcasting career.

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“Across the British Isles there are magical places, our pride and joy – our gardens,” Sir David said to introduce the show. “Many of us are completely unaware of the wild world right under our noses.

Sir David Attenborough on Secret Garden (BBC/PA)

“Some British gardens are almost as diverse as a tropical rainforest.”

To explore the “extraordinary dramas” of a single garden, the broadcaster journeyed to Oxfordshire for the first episode, visiting The Old Mill House in South Oxfordshire.

Owned by Henry and Sara Manisty, the thousand-year-old mill house is surrounded on three sides by the water of the River Thames.

Because so much of the garden is frequently flooded by the river, much of the land is allowed to ‘run wild’, turning it into a sanctuary for wildlife.

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The episode description said: “Through the eyes of Henry and Sara, beautiful cinematography and immersive storytelling, this episode reveals the astonishing resilience of Britain’s garden wildlife in the face of unpredictable change.

“It is a celebration of how leaving nature to its own devices can turn an ordinary patch of land into a hugely rich and highly rewarding wildlife refuge.”

The episode explores The Old Mill House garden across the seasons of a year, focusing on the wildlife which is drawn to and threatened by the waterlogged land in this “fragile Eden”.

As well as their visit from Sir David and his camera crews, Mr and Mrs Manisty recently welcomed MP Freddie van Mierlo to their riverside home, who said the garden is “incredible”.

Freddie van Mierlo with Henry and Sara Manisty at The Old Mill in South Oxfordshire (Image: Freddie van Mierlo)

“By letting nature take the lead, they’ve created a stunning wildlife haven – home to kingfishers, otters, red kites, bats and more,” Mr van Mierlo said.

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“The programme beautifully captures the drama of life in this ‘wild’ garden, from ducklings navigating floodwaters to mayflies emerging after years beneath the surface.

“It’s an inspiring reminder of what can happen when we give space back to nature.”

The four other episodes in the first series of Secret Garden explore special gardens and the wildlife that live in them in Bristol, The Lake District, The Wye Valley and The Western Highlands.

All episodes are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.

Thames Valley Police has released images of the stolen car in an effort to trace it, after it was reportedly stolen from Finstock High Street, near Chipping Norton, between March 29 and April 9.

Along with the images, the neighbourhood police officers released the registration of the car and an appeal for anyone who’s seen it to come forward.

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The registration is M712 PAG and police are asking anyone with information to get in touch by calling 101, quoting reference number 43260175122.

The Land Rover was stolen from Finstock (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Police also issued advice to Land Rover owners, as ‘old-style’ vehicles, like Defenders and Land Rover Series models, are particularly at risk.

A spokesperson for the force said: “Old-style Land Rovers are very attractive to thieves, as they’re simply, valuable and easy to move if not properly secured.

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“Older Land Rovers often lack modern security, so visible deterrents are key to make your vehicle look like too much effort compared to others.”

This could include fitting a steering wheel lock, wheel clamp for overnight or long-term parking, a pedal lock and lockable door handles, as well as modern alarm systems with a siren and a GPS tracking devise.

Parking is also important, and drivers are encouraged to park in a locked garage where possible, install motion lighting and CCTV, and avoid leaving cars is the same visible spot long-term.