Milton Keynes Museum will be temporarily closed after a fire broke out on site.

Fire occurred in the early hours of yesterday morning (05/02), with multiple fire crews from the local area summoned to help extinguish the blaze.

The result of the fire means the museum will be shut for two to three weeks while damage is assessed and cleaned up, with the museum confirming they will provide an update on social media when it is safe to re-open.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue late confirmed that six crews were initially sent to the incident, made up of three from West Ashland and one each from Broughton, Newport Pagnell and Buckingham, along with an officer.

A further four crews (one from Olney, two from Leighton Buzzard, one from Mereway), an Operational Support Unit (from Broughton) and three officers were consequently deployed.

The fire broke out in a timber-framed single storey commercial unit at the museum, with the fire service identifying the blaze was located in the rear of the building within the electrical intake.

The electrical intake was contained and monitored by firefighters while the electricity board fully isolated the supply. The electrical supply was then isolated externally by National Grid. Firefighters also isolated the gas supply.

At 7:00am firefighters made steady progress turning over, cutting away and damping down the affected areas. This continued until 10:30am.

MK Museum said in a statement on social media that the blaze did not lead to the damage of any artefacts, although some interactive features were lost.

Their statement on social media read, “A fire broke out in the Museum during the early hours of this morning, in the area occupied by the Communications Gallery, which houses the popular telephone section.

“Firefighters were quickly on the scene, and though a small amount of interactables were lost, fortunately no artefact has been damaged.”

Milton Keynes Museum’s director Bill Griffiths said, “It is incredibly sad to have this happen at any time, but coming so close to the launch of our new gallery is particularly upsetting.

“We are incredibly grateful to the fire crews who worked so hard overnight, and currently remain on site damping down. They have been superb.

“While it is too early to confirm the cause of the fire, we believe it is likely electrical. We will only be able to confirm that once an investigation has been completed.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their well wishes and support. The Museum is at the heart of the community, and we’ve been buoyed by the volume of support we’ve received throughout the night and this morning.”