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BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bicester Motion fire: Inquest into three deaths set to open
An inquest into the deaths of two firefighters and a member of the public who were killed during a fire at a business park is set to open on Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the blaze that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on 15 Valley Police (TVP) previously said all three had sustained injuries in line with those "typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure".Two other firefighters seriously injured in the incident remain in hospital in stable conditions. The fire was reported at about 18:30 BST on 16 May and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham Road, and a major incident was fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze as witnesses reported seeing black smoke in the sky. Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF was home to RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in Valley Police (TVP) said post-mortem examinations showed that Ms Logan, Mr Sadler, who worked for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Mr Chester died from multiple traumatic force also confirmed that an unexplained death investigation was being led by its major crime unit, alongside fire investigators and the Health and Safety Office statistics showed it was only the fourth incident in which a firefighter had died whilst tackling a blaze in England in the past 15 was also the first time two firefighters had been killed in the same fire since Jim Shears and Alan Bannon died in a blaze at Shirley Towers in Southampton in April 2010. Following the blaze, Bicester Town Council opened books of condolence, while church services and silences also took gold plaques were placed at Bicester Motion following the fire, with both signed: "Love from the Bicester Community."Paying 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"."Our world has fallen apart and our hearts are completely broken, but somewhere in amongst it all we are immensely proud of him and his unwavering bravery," they family of Ms Logan said her "bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end"."She will always be our hero and we are so immensely proud of her. Forever in our hearts," they Chester's 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," they continued. Nicholas Mawer, who represents Bicester North on Cherwell District Council, previously told the BBC those lost in the fire were "the best of Bicester"."Thankfully these incidents are very rare but it's deeply affected the community," he Logan and Mr Sadler were members of Bicester Rugby Union Football Club (BRUFC), with Ms Logan on the Bicester Vixens women's team."We are a tight-knit club," BRUFC's chairman Paul Jaggers said."Obviously losing two of your members in any situation is really tough and it's had a profound impact."A fundraiser launched by the club has raised more than £23,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity since the tragedy. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lessons must be learned from Bicester fire, MP says
An MP who visited the business park where three people were killed in a fire has said "lessons must be learned" from the tragedy. Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the blaze that engulfed the Bicester Motion site in Oxfordshire on 15 May. The Labour MP for Oxford East, Anneliese Dodds, said visiting the scene on Wednesday was "incredibly sombre and sobering". Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive are liaising on the investigation into the fire's cause. Two more firefighters are in hospital after suffering serious injuries in the incident, but remain in a stable condition. Ms Dodds said "all of us are are really thinking about those two brave individuals... and really wishing them all the very best". "It is very important that those who lost their lives are remembered, and also their families," she said. Ms Dodds described the incident as "horrendous", and said it reminded her of "the huge debt that we owe to our firefighters". "Clearly, in this case they had run towards the danger rather than away from it, as they always do," the MP said. She added: "We have facilities like those at Bicester Motion in other parts of the country, so it's important that lessons are learned for the future." The fire was reported at about 18:30 BST on 15 May and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham Road. A major incident was declared and 10 fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze as witnesses reported seeing black smoke in the sky. Thames Valley Police said post-mortem examinations showed that all three died from multiple traumatic injuries, likely caused by "the collapse of part of a structure". Two gold plaques have been placed at the site to commemorate those who died. Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF Bicester. It was home to RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in 2004. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Two firefighters and member of public die in fire at Oxfordshire business park Business park partially reopens after fatal fire Bicester fire victims remembered with gold plaques Bicester Motion Thames Valley Police
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Jersey firefighters fundraise after Bicester colleagues killed
Firefighters in Jersey have had a "heartwarming" response to a fundraising event after two UK colleagues were killed during a blaze in Oxfordshire earlier this month, service bosses Martyn Sadler, 38, and Jennie Logan, 30, were killed along with business owner Dave Chester in a fire in Bicester on 15 May. Crews from Green Watch attended Royal Square on Tuesday and raised more than £1,600 for the Fire Fighters Charity, which offers care and support to staff and families. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Bryn Coleman says the incident "absolutely reinforces how dangerous the occupation can be and how fragile our safety is". 'Vital work' He said: "We all go to work every morning, doing our best for our colleagues and for islanders, and this really brings home how dangerous firefighting can be as an occupation."It really reinforces the vital work of the Fire Fighters Charity if we are to to be injured in the course of duty."States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service (SJFRS) said the charity was originally set up during World War Two to support the bereaved families of firefighters who died during the London fundraiser also provided an opportunity for islanders to talk to Jersey firefighters and take a tour of two SJFRS fire engines, it Coleman added: "We have seen tremendous support from the community here in Jersey for the work of the fire and rescue service, which is really, really heartwarming.""The number of fires we get in Jersey is equivalent to the United Kingdom."It is no safer place than anywhere else, so absolutely there's a risk of tragic events occurring, as they have done in the past, and indeed in the future."
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bicester fire injuries caused by structure collapse, say police
Two firefighters and a member of the public who died during a fire at a business park sustained injuries in line with those "typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure", police have Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the blaze that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on 15 Valley Police (TVP) said post-mortem examinations showed that all three died from multiple traumatic other firefighters seriously injured in the incident remain in hospital in stable conditions, the force added. TVP Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray said: "Our initial investigations suggest that all three sustained injuries in line with those typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure."He said the force would make no further comment on the post-mortems' preliminary findings."This remains an unexplained death investigation and is being led by our Major Crime Unit, who continue to work with fire investigators and the Health and Safety Executive to ascertain the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the sad deaths of Jennie, Martyn and Dave," he said."Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the families, friends and colleagues of Jennie Logan, Martyn Sadler and Dave Chester, as well as the injured firefighters and their loved ones, following this tragic incident." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bicester fire: Three-minute silence to be held for fire victims
A three-minute silence is set to be held for two firefighters and a member of the public who died in a blaze last 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 in Oxfordshire on 15 Town Council is holding a "moment of silence" for the three at Garth Park on Friday at 19:00 Peter Wright from St Edburg's Church, who will lead the service, said it was an opportunity for the community to "come together" and would involve three-minutes of quiet - one for each of the victims. "Something like this draws a community together," he said."It's just an opportunity for the community to... express that sense of solidarity with the families and the friends and all those who're mourning."He said the victims' families were feeling "a great sense of shock and disbelief", but had been "drawing comfort from the outpouring of support" from the community in Bicester."Jenny, Martin and Dave were well-known in the community, much-loved," he said."All of that has been a great support for them." Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF fire at the site was reported at about 18:30 BST on 15 May and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham following day, Thames Valley Police named the victims as Ms Logan, Mr Sadler - who started his wholetime firefighter training with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service - and Mr Chester. CEO Daniel Geoghegan released a statement on Thursday saying he had been "deeply moved" by the support and kindness of the community."Above all, we are thinking of Jennie Logan, Martyn Sadler and Dave Chester," he said."Their response to the fire was marked by courage and selflessness. We are profoundly grateful for their bravery."He also thanked the emergency services for their response."The dedication and resolve shown, often by those who returned to duty the very next day, has been so humbling," he was a private ceremony for representatives from the emergency services held in Garth Park on Thursday night, and all 25 fire stations in Oxfordshire held a minute silence at 18:39 to mark a week on from the first call being made. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
