Homes have been evacuated following a multi-vehicle fire at a breakers' yard in Witney, according to a local resident.

The blaze at T&B Motors on West End started at 10:00 BST.

Tony Pearce, who lives on nearby Farmers Close, said many houses in the area had been evacuated.

"They’re getting closer and my house is in the firing line," he said.

He added: “It’s thick, black acrid smoke. Gas bottles, tyres, the petrol left in the cars, that’s all going up.

"We’re getting people from all over Witney coming up in their cars and vans and push bikes just to try and get a view of what’s going on.

"It’s getting worse than what it was an hour ago."

Image source, Shoot it Yourself

Fuel is adding to problems as firefighters tackle a multiple-vehicle blaze at a spare van parts firm, the fire service has said.

The fuel is causing plumes of smoke to be seen across the town.

Eight fire engines are currently on the scene of the multiple-vehicle fire in Witney, the fire service has said.

The blaze started at T&B Motors, which specialises in van parts and spares, on West End at about 10:00 BST.

The "large plume of dark smoke" visible across the town is due to fuel being involved, the fire service added.

David Lumb
BBC News

As you drive into Witney on the A43 smoke can be seen billowing across the town.

The fire started around 10am this morning and there are no injuries reported.

Meanwhile, at the scene, about a dozen residents who have been evacuated are standing behind the cordon looking on as firefighters try to control the blaze.

Several vehicles are on fire in Witney.

West End is currently closed and emergency services are on the scene.

Image source, @ShootItYourself

Image source, @ShootItYourself

Image source, @ShootItYourself

Image source, @WoctBus

A multiple-vehicle fire in Witney is causing black plumes of smoke that are visible across the town.

West End is currently closed and firefighters are on the scene.

Commenting on Twitter, West Oxfordshire Community Transport said: "Big fire still raging in West End of Witney."

Another user, @lukee_holmess said the blaze was visible "from miles away".

Image source, Lisa Kay

Several vehicles are on fire in Witney, the police have confirmed.

Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue are currently fighting the blaze.

A police spokesman said: "West End is completely closed to traffic as is the bottom end of Wood Green and the junction of West End and Hailey Road."

We're getting reports from residents of a fire in West End, Witney.

Thames Valley Police says the area may be closed off "for some time".

An image has been released of a man police want to speak to after an assault on a hunt supporter in Dorset.

Image source, Dorset Police

It happened in the area of Tarrant Gunville, near Blandford, at about 15:00 on 24 March.

The victim, a woman in her 40s, was walking past a green Land Rover when a man linked to the vehicle struck her over the head with what was thought to be a camera.The victim sustained a head injury that required hospital treatment.

Six men from Oxford who groomed and sexually abused teenage girls between 1998 and 2005 have been jailed.

Image source, Thames Valley Police

Assad Hussain, 37, of Iffley Road, will serve a life sentence with a minimum term of 12 years for multiple rapes.

Judge Peter Ross said victims were brought into the group - who were convicted of more than 20 offences - through flattery, drugs and alcohol.

Oxford Crown Court heard they were also subjected to threats and violence, and made to have sex with other men.

Missing Julie Downie was last seen in Southampton.

It's thought the 58-year-old could be in the New Forest or Dorset.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Up to 16 of Southampton's tallest tower blocks are to undergo a multimillion-pound fire safety revamp.

Work on two blocks has already been completed and improvements to a third building are due to be completed this week.

The work will incorporate all towers more than 30m tall - the government definition of a high-rise.

The city council could not confirm a completion date for the safety work on the remaining 13 towers.

The £15 million scheme includes the fitting of sprinklers in every flat, the upgrading and replacement of communal fire doors, front doors and fire stopping products, as well as other associated fire safety works.

A video has been released highlighting the dangers of the misuse of level crossings.

Network Rail say cyclists and pedestrians are risking their lives by ignoring warning lights and alarms.

There were 86 incidents in Dorset last year, a third of them happened at the crossing on Poole High Street.