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The Independent
31-07-2025
- The Independent
Fire crews and mourners line streets to honour fallen firefighter Martyn Sadler
Firefighters and well-wishers lined the streets to honour the life of Martyn Sadler, who died in the line of duty during a major blaze. The 38-year-old is being given a full ceremonial fire service funeral, with mourners paying tribute to his bravery, fearlessness and dedication to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Mr Sadler's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop an aerial ladder platform fire engine through the streets of Bicester in Oxfordshire. Hundreds of people gathered along the route in respectful silence while uniformed firefighters marched behind the coffin. Mr Sadler was killed in a fire at the Bicester Motion site on May 15, alongside fellow firefighter Jennie Logan, 30, and local businessman Dave Chester, 57. The cortege paused outside Bicester fire station at 11am, where firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence. It was then travelling to the nearby St Edburg's Church where a private service was taking place. 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 November 25. Tributes poured in after the tragedy, with Mr Sadler's family saying 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. Books of condolence were opened across Bicester in the days following the fire, and two gold plaques were placed at the scene of the blaze, signed: 'Love from the Bicester community.'
BBC News
31-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Funeral for Bicester Motion fire victim Martyn Sadler
A funeral for one of two firefighters killed in a blaze at a business park is taking place Martyn Sadler, 38, died alongside colleague Jenny Logan and father-of-two Dave Chester at Bicester Motion on 15 May.A cortege will travel from Banbury Road, in Bicester, to the fire station on Queen's Avenue, where a minute's silence will be held in Mr Sadler's procession is followed by a private church service at St Edburg's in the town. Mr Sadler worked for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and was also part of the London Fire started his wholetime firefighter training with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and worked in Slough, Langley and Maidenhead before moving to the London three brigades are lining the procession family described him as "born to be a firefighter", and "a loving husband, son, brother, uncle and all-round family member". The event is the last of the funerals being held following the devastating Logan, 30, was also honoured with a procession in Bicester on 14 June, when thousands turned up for her funeral for Mr Chester, 57, who repaired heritage buildings at the former RAF base at the site, took place in Tackley, on 8 other firefighters received serious injuries but have been released from month police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene Motion has since announced that Hangar 79, a Grade II listed building, is set for demolition due to significant fire damage. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to firefighters and man killed in former RAF base blaze
Tributes have been paid to the two firefighters and a man killed in a huge blaze at a former RAF base. Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, died in the major incident at Bicester Motion on Thursday, and David Chester, 57, from Bicester, was also killed. A police cordon was still in place on Saturday afternoon outside Bicester Motion, where a tent has been erected and a heavy police presence remains. A golden plaque has been installed at the entrance to the site, which remains busy with fire engines and police vans. The tribute reads: '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.' It is surrounded by flowers and messages left in tribute by members of the public. One of the tributes is from firefighters from the London Fire Brigade. A navy blue T-shirt with the words 'A21 Paddington London Fire Brigade' was left at the scene. It lay alongside flowers and a card which reads: 'Martyn, Jennie. Dear god protect these brave persons. Grant them your almighty protection and unite them safely with their families after their duty has ended.' Both firefighters worked at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) and Mr Sadler was also part of the London Fire Brigade. Two further OFRS firefighters suffered serious injuries and are in hospital, Oxfordshire County Council said previously. Chief fire officer Rob MacDougall gave an emotional statement at the scene of the fire, saying: 'I am immensely proud and grateful for the exemplary multi-agency response and the unwavering bravery demonstrated by all the emergency services personnel.' Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze at 6.39pm on Thursday, which prompted a major response and warnings for local residents to stay indoors. Residents described seeing 'apocalyptic' black smoke rising above the area. Other cards laid at the scene include a child's drawing covered in fire engine stickers with the words: 'Thank you hero fighters.' Bicester resident Angela Roseline, 58, went to lay flowers at the scene on Saturday. She said: 'We depend on our emergency services a lot. You go out to work, not to pass away, and that's what's happened. 'It's affected me so badly that I had to come down just to show my respects. 'These individuals have families. I bet now they're hurting. But we want to let them know that we care for them, we love them, and we're praying for them, and that's the most important thing today. 'They're always in my heart. I'll be praying for them, that's what I'll be doing.' A fundraising site in memory of those who lost their lives 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 fire fighter. 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.'
