Car was driven into front of building.said on News (bbc)
A "major" fire has broken out at council offices in Oxfordshire after a suspected arson attack.
The South Oxfordshire District Council building in Crowmarsh Gifford has been ablaze since 03:15 GMT.
Council leader John Cotton told the BBC: "We believe it to be the result of arson, though that's not clear at the moment."
Firefighters are also dealing with two other fires in the area, with 27 appliances being called out.
The building on Benson Lane usually houses 400 staff, including the housing, planning, building control and leisure teams.
The headquarters is also home to about two thirds of the Vale of the White Horse District Council's staff.
Andy Roberts, senior communications officer for the councils, said: "There has been a major fire... most services will be affected."
'Fire raging' Mr Cotton added: "At the moment we're putting together our contingency plans to keep the services running.
South Oxfordshire District Council fire An eyewitness said the top level of the building was ablaze "We have a lot of people there during the day, but happily overnight there's no one there so as far as I know there are no injuries."
Andrea Turner, who can see the offices from her bedroom window, described the fire as "really bad".
"I could hear loads of bangs and pops and got up to see what it was and saw massive high flames coming from the top floor of the building.
"The roof is now caved in and everything. It's all gone."
A caller to BBC Radio Oxford, who gave his name as Raleigh, said the fire was "raging".
The taxi driver, who was passing the scene, added: "The entire top level of the building is ablaze, there's going to be nothing left of it."
Mr Roberts added: "The councils are putting their business continuity plan into place to make sure the effect on the most important front line services is kept to a minimum.
Fire crews are battling three major blazes in South Oxfordshire including one at the local council.
The fires broke out in the early hours of this morning at three different locations and were reported withing nine minutes of each other.
Blooming extremists.
UPDATEFire crews are battling three major blazes in South Oxfordshire including one at the local council.The fires broke out in the early hours of this morning at three different locations and were reported withing nine minutes of each other.Blooming
A spokeswoman confirmed there had been no reports of anyone injured.
The fires were started within quick succession of each other at the three separate sites.
Firefighters received a call about a fire at a cottage in Roke Marsh at 3.11am and then nine minutes later were called to the funeral parlour in Marsh Lane.
Just seconds later a call was received to South Oxfordshire District Council's offices at Crowmarsh Gifford.
car driven in council building with gas cannisters
A spokeswoman confirmed there had been no reports of anyone injured. The fires were started within quick succession of each other at the three separate sites. Firefighters received a call about a fire at a cottage in Roke Marsh at 3.11am and then n
The problem is not whether he is Anglican or Muslim or anywhere in between. It is these "lone wolf" nutters who set out for murderous revenge -- there is no organisation any more; no IRA Army Council, PLO or even Al Qaeda making plans and giving orders: it's just random idiots with guns, knives and hot tempers.
The problem is not whether he is Anglican or Muslim or anywhere in between. It is these "lone wolf" nutters who set out for murderous revenge -- there is no organisation any more; no IRA Army Council, PLO or even Al Qaeda making plans and giving orde
b) 22 fridge freezers, 2 blenders, 1 food mixer and 2 dishwashers
b) 1 fire engine, 25 buckets and a wet sponge
c) 1 fire engine, 20 buckets, 3 water pistols, 1 damp hanky and a wet sponge
or something else
"27 appliances being called out"Is that ? a) 27 Fire enginesb) 22 fridge freezers, 2 blenders, 1 food mixer and 2 dishwashersb) 1 fire engine, 25 buckets and a wet spongec) 1 fire engine, 20 buckets, 3 water pistols, 1 damp hanky and a wet spongeor s
Although Leopard is secretly hoping that Prince Andrew is involved. Police have said it is not terrorist related. Some nutter with a grudge?
The Leopard 95% chance he is MuslimAlthough Leopard is secretly hoping that Prince Andrew is involved.Police have said it is not terrorist related. Some nutter with a grudge?
The fact that the police press statement stated that it was not a terrorist attack makes it more likely that is was a Muslim.
So if they said it was a terrorist attack it would be less likely?
The fact that the police press statement stated that it was not a terrorist attack makes it more likely that is was a Muslim. So if they said it was a terrorist attack it would be less likely?
Definitely an extremist. But I have inside information it was someone who objected to his council tax bill. Bit of an extreme reaction - definitely an extremist then!!
Definitely an extremist. But I have inside information it was someone who objected to his council tax bill. Bit of an extreme reaction - definitely an extremist then!!
A man has appeared in court accused of arson following a series of fires in Oxfordshire, including one that caused major damage to council headquarters.
Andrew Main, 47, of Rokemarsh Farm, Rokemarsh, is charged with two counts of arson with intent to endanger life and two counts of arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.
He nodded to confirm his details but did not speak during the hearing.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Oxford Crown Court on 30 January.
A man has appeared in court accused of arson following a series of fires in Oxfordshire, including one that caused major damage to council headquarters.Andrew Main, 47, of Rokemarsh Farm, Rokemarsh, is charged with two counts of arson with intent to
Crisp77 15 Jan 15 22:22 Joined: 08 Feb 02 | Topic/replies: 37,394 | Blogger: Crisp77's blog I don't think they post on a gambling forum.
I wouldn’t be too sure about that. I have my suspicions
Crisp7715 Jan 15 22:22Joined:08 Feb 02| Topic/replies: 37,394 | Blogger: Crisp77's blogI don't think they post on a gambling forum.I wouldn’t be too sure about that.I have my suspicions
The Leopard, Haven't read into it but how did he set the canisters on fire....just opened the valve and lit the gas....sounds dangerous !
All that type of infomation is freely available on many extremist websites.
www.thingstofillintimeonreturnfromsyria.org hth.
The Leopard,Haven't read into it but how did he set the canisters on fire....just opened the valve and lit the gas....sounds dangerous ! All that type of infomation is freely available on many extremist websites.www.thingstofillintimeonreturnfromsyri