A significant fire broke out at Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire on the evening of April 17, prompting a swift and large-scale response from fire crews across the region. The blaze began shortly after 6:30 p.m. in what is believed to be Hangar 3, located on Lancaster Road. Within minutes, thick black smoke billowed into the sky, visible from miles away, as flames engulfed the structure. The scene was chaotic, with emergency services working urgently to contain the spread and protect nearby buildings from further damage.
Firefighters from several stations, including Amesbury, Salisbury, and even as far as Swindon, responded to the emergency. Due to the severity of the situation, a specialized aerial ladder platform was deployed to support the effort. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that the blaze was intense enough to cause part of the hangar to collapse. Additionally, the flames spread to a neighboring structure, believed to be a café, exacerbating the scale of the incident. The fire raged throughout the night as crews fought tirelessly to bring it under control.
By the early hours of Friday morning, around 5:45 a.m., the fire was largely subdued, though some teams remained on site to extinguish lingering hotspots. The damage, however, was considerable. Hangar 3 sustained significant structural loss, leading to the facility’s temporary closure. In a public statement, the operators of the hangar expressed their regret and announced the suspension of operations until further notice. This disruption has impacted both aviation activities and local businesses that relied on the site.
Authorities urged local residents to remain indoors and keep their windows and doors shut due to the potential presence of hazardous fumes in the air. Although no injuries have been reported, safety concerns remained a top priority for emergency services. A command unit from Devizes was also dispatched to coordinate efforts on the ground, ensuring a structured and effective response to the unfolding disaster.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. While officials have not yet determined what triggered the blaze, the rapid escalation and structural impact highlight the vulnerability of even well-established facilities like Old Sarum Airfield. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how quickly a fire can turn into a major emergency, demanding swift coordination and resources to prevent an even greater catastrophe.