LIVEUpdated 12 hours ago
The cause is believed to be accidental
A general view of RAF Fairford, when US bombers touched down in March(Image: Tom Wren / SWNS)
Updated 13:29, 26 Apr 2026
The US Air Force has issued a statement after a huge fire broke out at RAF Fairford.
Firefighters were deployed to the Gloucestershire airbase, which is currently being used by the US military, in the early hours of this morning (Sunday, April 26).
The fire engulfed a storage building at the Fairford site and an investigation into its cause is ongoing, but Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said there are no suspicious circumstances.
It shared a warning shortly before 5am urging neighbours to keep their doors and windows closed due to smoke from the fire. Dramatic photos and footage shared online show an inferno burning in a building, with sources suggesting the location was formerly used as a commissary.
The Ministry of Defence said the fire was understood to be “inside the wire in an old/disused building” and RAF personnel were not involved in the firefighting operation.
A spokesperson for the US Air Force told GloucestershireLive: “At approximately 1am on 26 April, a fire was identified in an unoccupied building on RAF Fairford, leading to a response from on-base emergency services with the support of our partners from surrounding communities. There were no injuries sustained, the fire has been contained and currently poses no risk to the base populus or local community.
“We are thankful for the support of our local community members and services, the safety of our personnel, families, and surrounding communities remains our top priority. An investigation has been initiated and is ongoing, more information will be released as it becomes available.”
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26th Apr12:44 BST
Statement from US Air Force
A spokesperson for the US Air Force told GloucestershireLive:
At approximately 1 a.m. on 26 April, a fire was identified in an unoccupied building on RAF Fairford, leading to a response from on-base emergency services with the support of our partners from surrounding communities. There were no injuries sustained, the fire has been contained and currently poses no risk to the base populus or local community. “We are thankful for the support of our local community members and services, the safety of our personnel, families, and surrounding communities remains our top priority. An investigation has been initiated and is ongoing, more information will be released as it becomes available. “
26th Apr11:49 BST
Everything we know about the fire at RAF Fairford so far
You can read our handy guide of everything we know so far about the blaze, which fire crews believe at this time to be ‘accidental’, here.
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26th Apr10:55 BST
Statement from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue
A Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said:
“We were called at 1.52am this morning to reports of a fire at RAF Fairford. Fire engines from Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service attended and were supported by neighbouring fire and rescue services.“The fire involved a single-storey industrial storage building. It was brought under control safely and there were no casualties.“Crews remain at the scene this morning as a precaution and to ensure the incident is fully resolved. Fire investigation is ongoing and the early indication suggests the cause of fire was nothing other than accidental.”
26th Apr09:50 BST
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26th Apr09:27 BST
Information from RAF
RAF officials have told GloucestershireLive the following information:
No RAF persons involved in firefighting activities. We understand that the fire was inside the wire in an old/disused building. No persons are believed to be injured.”
26th Apr09:15 BST
Video posted to Facebook shows fire
26th Apr09:14 BST
Fire reportedly at ‘old Commissary away from the active airfield’
One Gloucestershire Live reader reports that the fire happened at the “old commissary away from the active airfield”.
Again, emergency services are yet to confirm the exact location.
26th Apr08:53 BST
Facebook post from Gloucestershire Fire & Rescue ServiceFollow Gloucestershire Live: