THE council offices on Benson Lane, Crowmarsh Gifford, were built in the 1970s.
South Oxfordshire District Council began forming a joint authority with Vale of White Horse District Council in 2006.
Until January last year, about 200 people worked at Crowmarsh and 200 at the Vale’s Abbey House in Abingdon.
But in a bid to save money, the Vale moved 180 staff across to Crowmarsh from Abbey House in Abingdon.
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Vale leader Matt Barber said at the time it would be a more efficient use of the office, of which the Vale was formerly only using 40 per cent.
The remaining space at Abbey House is now rented to Oxfordshire County Council for about £200,000 a year.
Kristina Crabbe, who represents Crowmarsh on SODC said: “It is hugely devastating to see the flames and the hard work that goes on and the work that is going to be done to get to where we were.
“It is very sad to see.”
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