Services held to remember Bicester fire victims

ITV News

18-05-2025

Church services have been held to remember two firefighters and a 57-year-old man who died in a huge blaze at an Oxfordshire business park.
Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, died while tackling the fire at Bicester Motion on Thursday evening.
David Chester, a father of two who ran a business at the site and lived in Bicester, was also killed.
Prayers have been said at St Mary's Church, Launton, and St Laurence's Church, Caversfield during services on Sunday, and a book of condolence has been set up at St Edburg's.
Thames Valley Police said on Saturday that two other firefighters who suffered serious injuries are "conscious and remain in a stable condition" in hospital.
Tributes continue to pour in for the three people who lost their lives, with many flowers and messages left at Garth Park, a short distance away from Bicester Motion.
On Saturday, firefighters formed a guard of honour for two of Bicester's fire engines as they returned to the town's fire station.
Ms Logan and Mr Sadler were involved with the women's team at Bicester Rugby Union Football Club, which said "their presence at the club will be massively missed".
The club has set up a fundraising site in aid of the Firefighters charity, describing Mr Sadler as "a true clubman and rugby man," and Ms Logan as "a kind, gentle and thoughtful force to be reckoned with."
Another fundraising site has been set up by Bicester resident Daniel Chartrand, and the GoFundMe has already raised more than £1,000 of its £4,500 target.
Dave Ward, 81, a retired firefighter, was among those paying respects at Bicester Fire Station, where a large number of tributes have also been laid.
He placed a bunch of flowers and saluted the tribute.
He said: 'I'm a retired firefighter. I retired in 1988 but I've served in London and I now understand that one of the guys was from London.'
Speaking through tears, he added: 'Nobody will understand what a great family it is to be in the fire service.
'We're all brothers wherever we serve.'
The site of the fire, at Bicester Motion, was home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering.
It was formerly RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in 2004.
Bicester Town Council said the flags on its building at Garth House were flying at half mast "as an expression of our sorrow and respect for those who lost their lives".
Fire investigators and Thames Valley Police are working to establish the cause of the fire.
Police said yesterday; "It remains an "unexplained death investigation, and is currently not a criminal investigation; however, we will follow the evidence as our enquiries continue."
"At this time we would not be in a position to provide further information on the causes of the fire, and what led to those being injured and those who died. "
Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, said: 'Our thoughts remain with all those involved following this tragic incident.
'Our enquiries are ongoing but this is a complex investigation which may take some time.'