The reason why firefighters taped off an Oxford city centre street has been revealed.

Two fire engines and several firefighters were at Cornmarket Street in Oxford city centre at around 4.30pm on Thursday evening.

A section of the busy street around popular chain eatery Greggs was taped off and left local residents confused as to what was happening.

“There is some activity on Cornmarket Street,” said an anonymous nearby resident at the time of the incident.

READ MORE: Firefighters tape off city centre street as two fire engines arrive

The fire engines on Thursday.The fire engines on Thursday. (Image: Public submission)

“I have no idea what's going on but they've been out there for about an hour currently at 5.45pm.”

The Oxford Mail appeached Oxfordshire County Council for comment via the fire service as to what occurred.

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue said: “This incident was simply a false alarm.”

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