On the evening of April 17, 2025, a significant fire broke out at the historic Old Sarum Airfield in Salisbury, Wiltshire, causing widespread concern among local residents. Fire crews were called to the scene at 6:38 PM to combat the blaze that originated from Grade II*-listed Hangar 3, a structure steeped in history.
The fire quickly escalated, causing the hangar to partially collapse within two hours. Flames spread to an adjacent café located next to a skydiving center, further complicating the firefighting efforts. Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service responded with multiple crews from Amesbury, Salisbury, Ludgershall, Andover, and Ringwood to tackle the inferno.
As the fire raged, thick plumes of smoke filled the air, prompting emergency services to issue urgent warnings to nearby residents. They advised locals to keep windows and doors shut to avoid inhaling potentially harmful smoke, which was suspected to contain asbestos due to the age of the building. The fire service stated, "Due to the potential for unknown chemicals, please stay inside and keep your windows closed to avoid the smoke." Fortunately, no casualties have been reported.
The fire at Old Sarum Airfield comes just one week after the Planning Inspectorate approved plans for the development of up to 315 homes and leisure facilities on the site. This decision followed a lengthy planning dispute that began on February 20, 2025. The approval included a stipulation that only 160 of the new dwellings could be occupied until repairs to Hangar 3 were completed.
Hangar 3 has a rich history, having been built in 1917 by German prisoners of war. It served as a training depot for day bombing raids during World War I and was home to the School of Army Co-Operation by 1919. However, in recent years, the hangar has fallen into disrepair, partially collapsing during Storm Isha in January 2025.
Grenville Hodge, the director of Old Sarum Airfield Ltd, expressed his devastation over the fire, stating, "We're absolutely devastated. We just won the planning appeal, and the first thing we were going to do was repair the hangar. It's just unbelievable. Hopefully, we haven't lost it." Hodge arrived at the scene shortly after 8 PM to assess the damage and promised a formal statement from his company in the coming days.
The fire not only poses a threat to the historic structure but also raises concerns about the future of the airfield and its planned redevelopment. The Old Sarum site is recognized as a nationally important archaeological site, and the Planning Inspectorate's decision had previously weighed the heritage benefits of the proposed housing development against the potential harm to the historic buildings.
As fire crews continued to battle the blaze, local police issued warnings to the public to respect safety cordons established around the site. Officers noted that some individuals were obstructing emergency workers in an attempt to capture photographs of the burning building, a behavior they strongly discouraged for safety reasons.
With the fire still active and crews working diligently to extinguish the flames, the community remains on high alert. Observers reported seeing smoke from various points across Salisbury, further emphasizing the fire's scale.
The aftermath of this incident will likely lead to increased scrutiny of the airfield's future, especially in light of the recent planning approval. Local residents and heritage advocates are already expressing concerns about the preservation of the airfield's historical significance amidst plans for modern development.
In the coming days, as investigations into the cause of the fire unfold, the fate of Hangar 3 and the broader redevelopment project at Old Sarum Airfield will undoubtedly remain at the forefront of community discussions.
As the situation develops, local officials and fire services will continue to provide updates to the public, ensuring that safety remains a priority while also addressing the historical implications of the fire.
