Latest news with #DavidChester
Telegraph
27-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Firefighters and passer-by killed by collapsing roof at RAF airfield
Two firefighters and a passer-by were killed when a roof collapsed during a blaze at a former RAF airfield, an initial post mortem has suggested. The fire on Buckingham Road, Bicester, on the evening of May 15, took the lives of two firefighters and a member of the public. Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, and 57-year-old father-of-two, David Chester, who worked at the site, died while tackling the blaze. Mr Chester's family said last week that he was trying to help the two firefighters when he was killed. Thames Valley Police confirmed that post mortem examinations have been carried out on the three people who died following the fire. The preliminary findings from the post mortem examinations show that all three people died from multiple traumatic injuries. Two other firefighters who suffered serious injuries remain in hospital in stable conditions. Asst Chief Constable Dennis Murray 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. 'Our initial investigations suggest that all three sustained injuries in line with those typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure. 'We will make no further comment on the post mortem's 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. 'We again extend our deepest sympathies to everyone who has been affected by this incident.'
Daily Mail
21-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Family of firefighter killed in blaze at ex-RAF base in Bicester pay heartfelt tribute to 'loving husband, son, and brother' with 'unwavering bravery'
The family of a firefighter who was among three killed in a horror blaze in Bicester have paid tribute - describing him as 'the true definition of a hero'. Martyn Sadler, 38, died after a fire engulfed Bicester Motion - a former RAF base - alongside firefighter Jennie Logan, 30, and businessman David Chester, 57, last Thursday. Mr Sadler was a firefighter for Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service but also worked with the London Fire Brigade. Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries and are in hospital in a stable condition, Thames Valley Police said. In an emotional tribute, Mr Sadler's grieving family said he was 'born to be a firefighter'. '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,' they added in a statement released by police. 'The passion and dedication he had for the job was outstanding. 'From as early as he learnt to walk and talk, his days were filled with episodes of Fireman Sam or London's Burning and as soon as he was old enough to join the fire cadets his career began. 'He achieved way beyond his dreams and nothing would ever put a bigger smile on his face. 'He was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and all-round family member, an amazing friend, a committed colleague and 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.' On Tuesday the force said the fire had been brought under control and the area made safe. Police are investigating the cause of the blaze and are treating the deaths as unexplained. It comes after Ms Logan's family also paid tribute yesterday, describing her as a 'force to be reckoned with'. 'When Jennie's pager went off, there was no stopping her,' Ms Logan's mother, father and sister Emilie said in a joint tribute. 'Never did we think that when running out the door last Thursday, to give it her all, like she always did, it would be for the final time.' Mr Chester, from Bicester, died after helping fire crews 'without hesitation', his family said in a tribute. 'Dave was always known as the man you went to when you needed any sort of help. This is exactly what happened on Thursday evening, he saw firefighters needing assistance and helped without hesitation,' they said. 'He was not a victim but a hero, he died the way he lived - helping others and putting them ahead of himself. 'Although he is no longer with us, he will always be in our hearts and his legacy will continue.'
Telegraph
21-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Firefighter killed in Bicester blaze ‘inspired by Fireman Sam'
A firefighter who died after a blaze at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire was inspired by Fireman Sam, his family have said. Martyn Sadler, 38, died alongside firefighter Jennie Logan, 30, and member of the public David Chester, 57, following the incident at Bicester Motion last Thursda y. Mr Sadler's family said in a statement released by Thames Valley Police on Wednesday that he was 'born to be a firefighter'. '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,' they added. 'The passion and dedication he had for the job was outstanding. 'From as early as he learnt to walk and talk, his days were filled with episodes of Fireman Sam or London's Burning and as soon as he was old enough to join the fire cadets his career began. 'He achieved way beyond his dreams and nothing would ever put a bigger smile on his face. 'He was a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and all-round family member, an amazing friend, a committed colleague and 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.' Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries in the blaze and are in hospital in a stable condition, Thames Valley Police said. On Tuesday, the force said the fire had been brought under control and the area made safe. Police are investigating the cause of the blaze and are treating the deaths as unexplained. In a statement previously released by the force, Ms Logan's mother, father and sister Emilie paid tribute to her 'bravery and fearlessness' as they described her as a 'force to be reckoned with'. 'When Jennie's pager went off, there was no stopping her,' the family added. 'Never did we think that when running out the door last Thursday, to give it her all, like she always did, it would be for the final time.' Mr Chester, from Bicester, died after helping fire crews 'without hesitation', his family said in a tribute. 'Dave was always known as the man you went to when you needed any sort of help. This is exactly what happened on Thursday evening, he saw firefighters needing assistance and helped without hesitation,' they added. 'He was not a victim but a hero, he died the way he lived – helping others and putting them ahead of himself. 'Although he is no longer with us, he will always be in our hearts and his legacy will continue.'
The Independent
21-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Family hail ‘hero' firefighter killed in Bicester blaze
The family of a firefighter who died following a blaze at a former RAF base have hailed him as a 'hero'. Martyn Sadler died along with fellow firefighter Jennie Logan, 30, and 57-year-old David Chester, a member of the public, after the incident at Bicester Motion on Thursday. The Oxfordshire business park was built on the site of RAF Bicester, which was home to Bomber Command in World War II. Mr Sadler's family released a statement through Thames Valley Police on Wednesday. The 38-year-old was 'born to be a firefighter', it said. He came from 'a strong fire service family' and being a firefighter was his 'life', the family said. 'The passion and dedication he had for the job was outstanding. 'From as early as he learnt to walk and talk, his days were filled with episodes of Fireman Sam or London's Burning and as soon as he was old enough to join the fire cadets his career began. 'He achieved way beyond his dreams and nothing would ever put a bigger smile on his face.' Mr Sadler's family described him as a loving husband, son, brother and uncle. 'He was ... an amazing friend, a committed colleague and the true definition of a hero,' the statement said. '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.' Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries in the blaze and are in hospital in a stable condition, Thames Valley Police said. On Tuesday the force said the fire had been brought under control and the area made safe. Police are investigating the cause of the blaze and are treating the three deaths as unexplained. In a statement previously released by the police, Ms Logan's mother, father and sister Emilie paid tribute to her 'bravery and fearlessness' as they described her as a 'force to be reckoned with'. 'When Jennie's pager went off, there was no stopping her,' they added. 'Never did we think that when running out the door last Thursday, to give it her all, like she always did, it would be for the final time.' Mr Chester, from Bicester, died after helping fire crews 'without hesitation', his family said in a tribute. 'Dave was always known as the man you went to when you needed any sort of help. This is exactly what happened on Thursday evening, he saw firefighters needing assistance and helped without hesitation,' they said. 'He was not a victim but a hero, he died the way he lived – helping others and putting them ahead of himself. 'Although he is no longer with us, he will always be in our hearts and his legacy will continue.'
The Independent
20-05-2025
- The Independent
Family pay tribute to ‘hero' firefighter killed in Bicester blaze
The family of a firefighter killed in a blaze at a former RAF base in Oxfordshire last week have paid tribute to her 'bravery and fearlessness' as they described her as a 'force to be reckoned with'. Jennie Logan, 30, of Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service, died in the major incident at Bicester Motion on Thursday alongside fellow firefighter Martyn Sadler, 38, and member of the public David Chester, 57. Two further firefighters suffered serious injuries and are in hospital in a stable condition, Thames Valley Police said. In a statement released by the force, Ms Logan's mother, father and sister Emilie said: 'When Jennie's pager went off, there was no stopping her. Never did we think that when running out the door last Thursday, to give it her all, like she always did, it would be for the final time. 'Her bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end. Our lives will never be the same, we'll miss her beautiful smile and zest for life. 'She will always be our hero and we are so immensely proud of her. Forever in our hearts.' The family said Ms Logan was a 'much loved daughter and sister' and 'mum' to her dog Mouse. They added: 'We still can't believe we'll never see her again, driving around Bicester collecting her dogs, which were like a second family. 'Also, at such a young age, setting up her own dog business and making it such a success, was truly inspirational to us all. 'She found her calling three years ago when she joined the fire service where she could use her incredible strength and determination. 'Jennie was a force to be reckoned with but to everyone who knew her, she was such a loving, caring, thoughtful person, who would do anything and everything to help. 'She lived life at 100mph, juggling her business with her love for rugby, where she made some truly amazing friends.' On Tuesday Thames Valley Police said the fire service had brought the fire under control and made the area safe. The force has taken over the scene and is investigating the cause, treating the deaths as unexplained. Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray said: 'We have now taken primacy for the incident and our major crime unit is carrying out an unexplained death investigation. 'I want to reiterate that this is currently not a criminal investigation; however, we will follow the evidence as our inquiries continue. 'The building is currently being assessed by structural engineers to understand whether it is safe to allow our officers and partners to carry out examinations at the scene. 'We will be supported by the fire service in trying to establish the cause of the fire.' The force said the fire's major incident status had been removed and there is no information to suggest anyone else is in the building. A golden plaque has been installed at the entrance to the site, with a tribute reading: 'Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Bicester Motion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public. Love from the Bicester community.'
