A fire has broken out at Benson Waterfront with six crews called to the blaze at its height.

Firefighters were called to the blaze at a storage facility behind Le Boat, a boat hire business, near to the Waterside Cafe in the early hours of the morning (October 20).

On arrival, fire crews requested additional support as the building was up in flames.

Incident commander Nick Bourke said it was a “significant fully developed fire”.

A hydraulic platform was used to stop the fire from spreading to other businesses and the boats that are moored on the waterfront.

READ MORE: Fire breaks out at marina closing main road

At the height of the fire, there were six pumps with crews from stations in Didcot, Abingdon, Oxford, Goring and Watlington called to the scene.
 

Thames Valley Police has confirmed that the fire is not being treated as arson but it is still unclear what started the blaze.

Oxford Mail:

The A4074 was closed in both directions between Church Road and the Elm Bridge roundabout due to smoke on the road from the fire

The road was reopened at around 9am.

The blaze was dealt with by fire officials and no one was injured.

An Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "At 4:02am Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service were mobilised to reports of a fire on the Waterfront beside the A4074 in Benson.

"Three fire appliances were initially sent from Watlington, Goring and Didcot.

"Upon arrival crews found a single-storey building well-alight and requested additional crews, which came from Slade (Oxford), Abingdon and across the border from Reading. A hydraulic platform was also requested from Rewley Road (Oxford).

"Wearing breathing apparatus and using four main jets crews quickly extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading to any of the nearby boats or rental chalets.

"Because of the extent of the smoke spread the A4074 was closed by colleagues from Thames Valley Police and remains closed whilst the fire is dampened down and the cause investigated."

An eyewitness said: “The main source of the fire came from this storage area.”

“It was very very big”

The Waterfront Cafe was closed in the morning after power at the marina was cut off following the blaze.

The cafe reopened at around 11pm after power was restored at the marina.

A cafe social media post said: "Pleased to announce we now have power back at the Waterfront Cafe and will be opening at 1pm with a limited menu."

Benson Waterfront is situated on the banks of the River Thames near Wallingford.

There are full camping facilities with an on-site restaurant and bar. The site also has boat moorings and storage.