Residents of Oxford and its surrounding areas were left bewildered on Monday evening as an unexplained phenomenon lit up the night sky, leaving many to describe it as an “explosion.” Videos and eyewitness accounts flooded social media platforms, showcasing a bizarre celestial display that unfolded around 7 pm.
One eyewitness, who captured the strange occurrence on camera, speculated, “Saw this strange pulsing sky out of our windows looking north-west of Oxford. I’m guessing it’s a fire caused by the lightning storm that passed over.
The event coincided with a spell of heavy rainfall accompanied by frequent lightning strikes in the region. While it is not uncommon for lightning to cause fires, the vivid and startling nature of this particular incident left many perplexed.
Another observer noted, “I don’t know what it was but it was massive. There were lots of fire brigade and police cars minutes later going through A40.”
Emergency services, including fire engines, were reported to be rushing toward the Osney Mead industrial estate, located just off Botley Road in Oxford, following reports of a fire at Shirtworks at approximately 6 pm. However, at this stage, it remains unclear if the reported “explosion” and the fire at Shirtworks are connected in any way.
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, as well as Thames Valley Police, have been contacted for official statements to provide further clarity on the situation. As of now, authorities have not confirmed any links between the unusual sky illumination and the industrial estate fire.
The incident has sparked a flurry of speculation and discussion on social media, with residents attempting to decipher the cause behind the bewildering display. Some have suggested that the “explosion” might have been related to electrical transformers, while others continue to speculate about its connection to the ongoing lightning storm.
Local authorities and experts are expected to investigate the matter thoroughly to determine the exact nature of the event and whether there is any potential danger to the community. In the meantime, residents are advised to remain cautious and vigilant, particularly in the event of any further unusual developments.
As more information becomes available, the community is eagerly awaiting official statements from relevant authorities, hoping to shed light on the mysterious occurrence that left the skies over Oxford briefly aglow with an eerie, pulsing light.
