A sudden blaze at Cox Automotive’s Bruntingthorpe site forced evacuation, summoned ten fire crews and was largely contained by evening.
In the early hours of 25 September, a fierce fire erupted inside a warehouse that had been repurposed as a spray booth at the former RAF Bruntingthorpe airfield in Leicestershire. The structure is part of the Cox Automotive complex that houses its Manheim Vehicle Services operations, a centre responsible for vehicle storage, preparation and fleet servicing.
The blaze was first reported shortly after 08:00 BST, sending a thick column of smoke towering over the historic airfield and prompting immediate concerns for nearby residents.
Fire breaks out at Bruntingthorpe warehouse
According to emergency dispatches, the flames originated in the part of the building used for paint-spraying activities.
The combination of flammable coatings and confined space accelerated the fire’s intensity, causing rapid spread across the interior. Witnesses described a wall of orange-red light flashing through the cracked windows as the fire roared. Within minutes, the alarm system triggered an evacuation of all personnel present on site, and the sound of sirens signaled the arrival of multiple fire units from across the county.
Emergency response and containment
The Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service mobilised a substantial squad to combat the inferno. Ten fire crews, two aerial appliance ladders, a dedicated water carrier and a specialised hazardous-materials support unit were deployed to the scene. Area manager Graham Vaux later confirmed that the fire was “largely under control,” although residual smoke continued to drift from the structure. He urged residents of nearby villages to keep windows and doors shut to minimise inhalation of lingering particles.
Evacuation of personnel
Cox Automotive confirmed that all staff and contractors were safely evacuated without injuries. The company’s spokesperson praised the swift action of firefighters and highlighted that the priority throughout the incident was the wellbeing of people on the premises. Emergency services escorted workers to a safe assembly point, where headcounts were performed to verify that no one remained inside the burning building.
Operational impact and site reopening
The Bruntingthorpe facility plays a pivotal role in Cox Automotive’s broader vehicle-services network, handling tasks ranging from pre-delivery preparation to end-of-life de-fleet processes. While the site no longer hosts a Manheim auction programme, it remains a hub for several of the group’s brands. Following the containment of the blaze, the company announced that the site reopened the next day, allowing limited operations to resume while investigations continue. Customers were kept informed throughout, and the company expressed appreciation for the patience shown by the local community during the disruption.
Company statements and community response
In a formal comment, a Cox Automotive representative thanked both the fire service and the surrounding community for their support. The spokesperson emphasized that the incident would be thoroughly investigated in partnership with the fire brigade and assured that safety protocols would be reviewed to prevent future occurrences. Local residents, while confronted with a dramatic plume of smoke, were commended for adhering to safety advice, helping to keep the situation from escalating further.
