An investigation has been launched after a devastating fire destroyed a Grade II listed aircraft hangar just days after permission was given to build hundreds of homes on the site.
The historic building that was built by First World War German prisoners of war was on the verge of being restored following years of neglect.
Last week a government planning inspector controversially approved plans for more than 300 homes to be built at the Old Sarum airfield near Salisbury but only on condition Hangar 3 be conserved.
Aerial photographs today show there is now nothing left of the aircraft hangar that was on Historic England’s At Risk Register following the fire that happened at 6.30pm last night.
There are fears the fire was started deliberately with police and fire investigators examining the charred scene at the airfield, which played key roles in both World Wars.
Although the derelict building had been fenced off, photos taken last week show gaps in it for anyone to access the site.
The airfield is operated by Old Sarum Airfield Ltd, which recently gained planning permission to build 315 homes and commercial and leisure facilities on the site after a drawn-out planning inquiry, which began in February.
The state of the hangar formed a key part of the debate at the inquiry, along with the proposed development’s impact on heritage assets.
The historic building that was built by First World War German prisoners of war burnt to the ground last night
People watching the fire burning through the hangar and cafe at Old Sarum airfield yesterday evening
Aerial photographs today show there is now nothing left of the aircraft hangar
When the government’s Planning Inspectorate published its decision to grant planning consent on April 9, it said a condition of the approval was that only 160 of the dwellings could be occupied until repairs were made to Hangar 3.
A spokesperson for the Save Old Sarum action group, which had been campaigning to stop the plans for housing and for the restoration of Hangar 3, said: ‘We are devastated and saddened by the fire at Hangar 3 and the cafe at Old Sarum.
‘We praise the swift response by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service in containing the fire.’
It is understood that the campaigners may call for a review of the decision to grant developers permission to build housing now that there is no historic building left to restore.
The director of the airfield said he is ‘devastated’ by the fire and hopes he hasn’t ‘lost’ the building.
Grenville Hodge, the director of Old Sarum airfield, said: ‘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.’
Old Sarum is one of the oldest operational airfields in the country and has three Grade II listed hangars which were built in 1917.
During the Second World War it was a training base for army soldiers to learn to fly following large RAF losses in the Battle of Britain.
Shocking pictures show orange flames under plumes of black smoke as the fire ripped through the Old Sarum Airfield hangar
The fire service said Hangar 3 had partially collapsed and the flames had engulfed the adjacent restaurant and café
Firefighters from Amesbury, Salisbury, Ludgershall, Andover and Ringwood worked together to tackle the blaze
One of Old Sarum’s Grade II listed hangars was destroyed during Storm Isha last year, after years of being allowed to fall into disrepair
Old Sarum seen in the late 1920s. The airfield is one of the oldest operational airfields in the country
Old Sarum’s rich history
Old Sarum Airfield was commissioned in 1917 and is one of three surviving First World War grass strip airfields of its type in Britain.
The Belfast Truss hangar was built in 1917 by German Prisoners of War and Chinese labourers.
Hangar 3 was a double span hangar and was about 180ft wide and 120ft long.
Old Sarum airfield seen from above at the end of the First World War
Old Sarum Airfield was a Training Depot Station in the First World War and from 1920 it was the School of Army Co-Operation.
It also played a crucial role in the Second World War, serving as a training base for soldiers to learn to fly following the large losses of RAF pilots in the Battle of Britain.
Westland Lysanders, Tomahawk’s and Taylorcraft Austers were based at the airfield in the Second World War where the Air Observation Post squadrons were formed in May 1940.
The historic aerodrome was granted conservation status by English Heritage in 2007 because of its complete set of First World War buildings and hangars.
Aviation historian Andy Saunders today said: ‘The airfield is an important part of Britain’s aviation heritage and its use dates back to the First World War with a unique group of original buildings of the period.
‘Unfortunately, at least one of the wooden trussed hangars was allowed to fall into disrepair in recent years.’
The Belfast Truss Hangar 3 was put on Historic England’s At Risk Register in 2020, but in January 2024 Storm Isha caused a partial collapse.
At the time campaigners described it as ‘demolition through dereliction of duty’.
But in granting the housing scheme permission, planning inspector Nick Fagen said he did not accept there had been deliberate neglect of the hangar by the owners.
He added that no advantage has been gained by them it had neglected Hangar 3 as much more rebuilding work is now required than before it fell into a state of disrepair. The fire service said Hangar 3 had partially collapsed and the flames had engulfed the adjacent restaurant and café.
Paul McAuliffe, 54, and wife Svonne, 52, were sat outside the site at around 6.30pm when the fire started.
Mrs McAuliffe said: ‘One of us looked over and noticed grey smoke coming out of the hangar.
‘He (Paul) ran into the kitchen and told them the hangar was on fire. We’ve all had to stand and watch the hangar.
‘The roof collapsed, and then the doors came down, and brought the brick walls down with it. It’s absolutely gutting.’
Eloise Moore and her sister were alerted to the fire after their parents spotted the smoke.
‘I’m so devastated about the recent blaze that happened at the hangar earlier today’, she said.
‘This was my first time experiencing a fire on this scale, and as a teenager, it will definitely stay with me for a long time.
‘We were absolutely flabbergasted and was eager to keep up to date with every news story and followed the live found on your page.
‘I hope the fire can be resolved and I have tons of gratitude towards the police and fire departments.’
It is understood that there are no casualties following the fire at the historic building
An investigation into how the fire started has been launched as police appeal for anyone with information to come forward
In a statement released yesterday, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service warned local residents: ‘Due to the potential for unknown chemicals, please stay inside and keep your windows closed to avoid the smoke.’
A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said: ‘We are appealing for witnesses following a large fire at Old Sarum airfield.
‘The fire broke out just after 6pm in partially derelict wartime hangars. The two hangars, as well as the Hangar 3 cafe were destroyed, and the building used by another business was badly damaged.
‘An investigation is now 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.
‘If you can help with our inquiries, please contact us on 101 quoting log number 262 of yesterday’s date (17/04). You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
‘We would also ask that members of the public keep their distance from the affected area while police and fire continue with the investigation.’
