Salisbury fire horror as huge blaze rips through airfield and police issue furious update

Police have released an update following a massive fire that burned through a Grade II listed World War One airport in Salisbury. The fire ripped through the historic landmark, causing extensive damage and collapsing parts of the building throughout the night.

Shocking images show tall bright orange flames behind clouds of black smoke as the fire raged across Salisbury, Wiltshire. The airfield’s director claimed he was ‘devastated’ by the fire and hoped he hadn’t ‘lost’ the structure.

As a precaution, residents near the site have been asked to keep their windows and doors closed and to stay indoors. Wiltshire Police reported that people had been impeding emergency officials “in an attempt to photograph the burning building.” Authorities have opened an investigation into the event.

Grenville Hodge, the director of Old Sarum Airfield, commented, “We’re extremely saddened. We just won the planning appeal, and the first thing we planned to do was repair the hangar. It’s simply unbelievable. Hopefully, we did not lose it.”

The fire broke out at Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, Wiltshire, shortly after 6:30 p.m. last night. Firefighters from Amesbury, Salisbury, Ludgershall, Andover, and Ringwood worked together to put out the fire.

The fire department reported that Hangar 3 had largely fallen, and flames had devoured the adjacent restaurant and café. It is believed that no casualties have been reported. The cause of the fire is yet unknown.

Paul McAuliffe, 54, and his wife Svonne, 52, were sitting outside the site at 6.30 p.m. when the fire began. Mrs McAuliffe stated, “One of us looked over and noticed grey smoke coming out of the hangar.” He (Paul) dashed into the kitchen, telling them the hangar was on fire.

“We have all had to stand and watch the hangar. The roof collapsed, bringing down the doors and the brick walls with it. “It’s absolutely gutting.” Mrs. McAuliffe claimed they were 20 feet over the hangar.

Eloise Moore and her sister were alerted to the fire after their parents saw smoke. “I am devastated by the tragic fire that occurred in the hangar earlier today. This was my first experience with a fire on this scale, and as a teenager, it will undoubtedly stick with me for a long time.

“We were completely taken aback and eager to stay up to speed with every news report, so we followed the live feed on your page. I hope the fire can be put out, and I am extremely grateful to the police and fire agencies.

Old Sarum Airfield Ltd operates the airfield and recently received planning clearance to build 315 dwellings, as well as commercial and leisure facilities on the property, following a lengthy planning process that began in February. The state of the hangar, as well as the impact of the proposed development on heritage sites, were major topics of discussion before the inquiry.

On April 9, the government’s Planning Inspectorate released its decision to grant planning consent, stating that only 160 of the homes may be occupied until Hangar 3 was repaired.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service issued a statement yesterday warning area residents: “Due to the potential for unknown chemicals, please stay inside and keep your windows closed to avoid smoke.”