Latest news with #DaveChester
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bicester Motion fire: Book of condolences for fire victims closes
A fire service's period of tribute following a fatal blaze that killed two firefighters and a member of the public is set to end, exactly 12 weeks after the incident was first Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the fire that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on 15 the blaze thousands have paid tribute to the trio, who were dubbed by one mourner in the north Oxfordshire market town as "the best of Bicester".Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said an online book of condolences opened in the wake of the tragedy would close at 18:39 BST on Thursday. In a statement, the service said: "We extend our thanks to everyone who has offered support, kindness and heartfelt messages.""We continue to support one another and all those affected by the tragic incident at Bicester Motion""Together we remember them and will always honour their memory."The service added that all messages and tributes shared in the book would be passed onto the families of Ms Logan, Mr Sadler and Mr Chester. Funeral's for all three have taken place over the past months, with thousands of mourners in Sadler and Ms Logan were each honoured with processions through Bicester, whilst Mr Chester was remembered during a service in fatal fire had first been reported at about 18:30 on 15 May and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the former RAF site, and a major incident was fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze as witnesses reported seeing black smoke in the other firefighters were also seriously injured in the incident, and have since been released from hospital. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bicester Motion hangar's 'sensitive demolition' after fire begins
The months-long demolition of a Grade II listed building is set to begin today following a devastating blaze that took the lives of two firefighters and a member of the remaining structure of Hangar 79 at Bicester Motion business park is set for "sensitive" demolition due to a devastating blaze on 15 May, when firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, died along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57. Their funerals have taken place in the weeks since the demolition process will last about four months and comes after discussions with Historic England, Cherwell District Council and health and safety experts. The local authority had issued a demolition notice and a specialist contractor was selected for their experience and capability to sensitively carry out the works to ensure minimal England previously said the famous airfield was "the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase" in month police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene Sadler and Ms Logan were honoured with funeral processions in Bicester on 31 July and 14 June, respectively. The funeral for Mr Chester took place in Tackley, on 8 July. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Sky News
31-07-2025
- Sky News
Hundreds line the streets to honour Martyn Sadler, firefighter killed in Bicester Motion blaze
Firefighters have joined hundreds of people in Oxfordshire for the funeral of Martyn Sadler, who died in the line of duty earlier this year. Mr Sadler, 38, was killed in a major fire at the Bicester Motion site in May, alongside fellow firefighter Jennie Logan, 30, and local businessman Dave Chester, 57. His coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried through the streets of Bicester in Oxfordshire on an aerial ladder platform fire engine as he was given a full ceremonial fire service funeral on Thursday. Hundreds of people gathered along the route in respectful silence while uniformed firefighters marched behind the coffin. Firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence as the cortege paused outside Bicester fire station at 11am before travelling to the nearby St Edburg's Church for a private service. Ten fire crews were called to tackle the blaze, and thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky. Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries in the blaze and have been released from hospital. Thames Valley Police said post-mortem examinations suggested the three victims sustained injuries "typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure". An investigation by the force's major crime unit is ongoing, alongside inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive and fire investigators. An inquest has been adjourned until 25 November. After the tragedy, Mr Sadler's family said he was "born to be a firefighter". They added: "Coming from a strong, fire service family, it was always in his blood, but it was significantly more than that with him; it was his life."
BBC News
27-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bicester Motion fire: Bikers ride in tribute convoy
More than 170 motorcyclists have paid tribute to two firefighters and a member of the public who died in a blaze at a business parkFirefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the fire that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on 15 enthusiast Rob Polland organised the Ride to Remember from Cherwell Valley services to Bicester town said the ride in convoy aimed to "bring the community together". Mr Pollard said the ride came about after he put the idea out to fellow motorcyclists on social media."The comments and support has been amazing," he said. "A lot of people have been affected by the fire - people have got involved from all parts of the UK."He said the mass ride had been a "special and memorable" event. The fire at Bicester Motion was reported at about 18:30 BST on 15 May and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham Road, and a major incident was tribute after the fire, the family of Mr Sadler, who previously worked for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and was also part of London Fire Brigade, said being a firefighter was "always in his blood", adding that he was "the true definition of a hero".The family of Ms Logan said her "bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end".Mr Chester's family described him as "Bicester born and bred" with a "quirky sense of humour".Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF was the base of RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in month police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene concluded. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
08-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bicester Motion fire: Funeral for Dave Chester who died
A father-of-two who died in a fire at a business park that also claimed the lives of two firefighters has been described as an "ever present, a can-do and will-do man without fail".Dave Chester, 57, was killed in the blaze that engulfed a hangar on the Bicester Motion site on 15 May, along with firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, Chester, whose funeral took place in Tackley, Oxfordshire, earlier, repaired heritage buildings at the former RAF base at the Motion called the contractor a "Bicester man through and through, making him almost destined to be front and centre in preserving the former RAF Bicester". Describing the night of the tragedy, the company said it "simply wouldn't have occurred to him to do anything but assist the emergency services", and that Mr Chester "was predisposed to help, whatever the situation, and to the benefit of all ahead of himself".It added: "Nobody knew the site and its nooks and crannies better than Dave; perhaps nobody ever will. "It is no exaggeration to say he had a lifetime of experience inside the perimeter fence – from being one of the many youngsters that used it as their playground to an adult plying his trade with his family-run business." In 2013 Mr Chester's company was tasked by Bicester Motion and Historic England "with uncovering and readying structures such as buried shelters and stores for further remediation work", the firm continued. Mr Chester also undertook repair work on the distinctive watch office, and the new main gates, whose "familiar sentry box, despite appearances, was built and inspired by Dave"."Before his vision was materialised there was nothing but now there is a building that looks as though it has been there forever," the statement added."Sadly, it has now also become a poignant reminder of the best friend for whom Bicester Motion could ever have hoped." Following Mr Chester's death his family described him as "Bicester born and bred" with a "quirky sense of humour"."He was not a victim but a hero, he died the way he lived – helping others and putting them ahead of himself," the tribute month police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene concluded and it was handed back to the Valley Police said it was still being treated as an unexplained death investigation. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
