11:12 am, September 28, 2026
A major fire broke out at Cox Automotive’s Manheim Vehicle Services operation at Bruntingthorpe on Friday, with 10 fire crews called to tackle the blaze.
The fire started in a warehouse being used as a spray booth at the former Leicestershire airfield shortly after 8am on September 25.
Cox Automotive Europe confirmed that its Manheim Vehicle Services operation was affected and said all staff and personnel had been safely evacuated.
A Cox Automotive spokesperson told Car Dealer: ‘Following Friday’s fire at our Bruntingthorpe Manheim Vehicle Services site, the site reopened today.
‘We are keeping our customers updated and working closely with the fire service to support their investigation. The support we have received from all of our customers has been gratefully received.
‘Our priority throughout has been the safety of our people, all of whom were safely evacuated with no injuries. We are also grateful to the local community for their patience during the disruption on Friday.’
The Bruntingthorpe site plays a significant role in Cox Automotive’s vehicle services operation, carrying out work for manufacturers, fleets and dealers including vehicle storage, preparation, servicing and other in-life and de-fleet services.
Bruntingthorpe is no longer used for a Manheim auction programme, but Cox says the site remains home to a number of its brands and services, including Manheim Vehicle Services.
Friday’s incident prompted a significant response from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, with 10 crews, two aerial appliances, a water carrier and a hazardous materials support unit sent to the scene.
By later that day the service said the fire had been largely brought under control, although smoke was continuing to be released from the building.
Graham Vaux, area manager at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said on Friday: ‘We have largely got the fire under control, however, there’s still smoke being released – this is reducing.
‘We are advising residents to keep their windows and doors closed and we will be scaling down the incident soon.’
Car Dealer has approached Cox Automotive for a comment.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service/Facebook