Police re-issue appeal for footage of large fire at historic airfield

Police have re-issued an appeal for footage of a large fire that destroyed a Grade II listed World War One aircraft hangar, with an investigation into the cause still under way.

Wiltshire Police has made a fresh appeal for witnesses following the fire at Old Sarum airfield on April 17.

The fire broke out just after 6pm in a partially derelict wartime hangar. The hangar known as Hangar 3, and the adjoining cafe were destroyed, and the building used by another business was badly damaged.

The statement said: “An investigation is still underway into the cause of the fire, and we would like to speak to anyone who was in the area shortly before the fire started.

“We would like to speak to anyone who recorded the fire to send it through to us, including those who were nearby and not necessarily at the scene itself.”

The airfield lies within the setting of a Scheduled Monument and is therefore recognised as a nationally important archaeological site by the Government.

There are Grade II listed hangars and two conservation areas within the site.

The site has been the subject of controversy locally as many were opposed to plans from developers Old Sarum Airfield Ltd to build 315 homes.

The fire occurred just a week after the project was given the go-ahead.

Plans included restoring the World War One era hangar three that was extensively damaged.