Bicester Village fire: Large blaze breaks out at shopping outlet

The fire is believed to have started at a restaurant

Fire at Bicester Village (Mollie Hawkes)

A large fire has broken out at Bicester Village shopping outlet in Oxfordshire – with the centre expected to remain closed for the rest of the day.

Around seven fire crews and 20 firefighters are said to be tackling the blaze, which began at Carluccio's restaurant on the site, ITV reported.

The fire is believed to have started at around 8.40am.

Paul Jenner, a newsreader for BBC Radio Oxford, said that he was at the scene and could see smoke coming out of the top of the restaurant - and an aerial ladder hosing water into the top of the building.

Staff at the centre have reassured shoppers and staff that everyone at the outlet is safe.

Bicester Village fire eyewitness Kris Reeder told BBC News that it looked like the fire was spreading.

"I can see a lot of smoke coming out of the roof of the building of Carluccio's and I can see some flames on the left hand corner of the building," he said.