Cliff Notes
- Tributes were paid to two firefighters, Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler, along with business owner David Chester, who all lost their lives in a significant fire at Bicester Motion on Thursday evening.
- A golden plaque and flowers were left at the scene, with the community expressing deep sorrow and respect for the victims, including personal messages and a T-shirt from the London Fire Brigade.
- Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries and remain in hospital, while the fire’s cause is currently under investigation, with ongoing support for the affected families.
Firefighters form guard of honour after two colleagues and business owner die in Bicester blaze | UK News
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Tributes have been paid to two firefighters and a business owner who died in a huge blaze in Oxfordshire.
Flowers have been placed near the entrance to Bicester Motion, a business park based at the town’s former RAF base after the fire broke out on Thursday evening.
On Saturday, firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS) were seen forming a guard of honour in memory of their two colleagues.
Among the cards and messages among the flowers was a child’s drawing covered in fire engine stickers with the words: “Thank you hero fighters.”
Jennie Logan, 30 and Martyn Sadler, 38, who died both worked for OFRS.
David Chester, 57, who ran the business Chesters & Sons on the site for 12 years, also died.
Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries and remain in hospital.
Bicester Rugby Union Football Club (RUFC) paid tribute to Ms Logan and Mr Sadler who were both members.
The club’s chairman Chris Dabell told Sky News: “There is immense loss and sadness in the club. We are just one family. We are all massively impacted by this.”
The club also posted a message on X, describing their “profound sadness”.
Residents have been leaving personal messages underneath the Bicester Motion sign at the entrance to the site.
A golden plaque has been installed underneath with a tribute from the “Bicester community”, which reads: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public.”
Another message read: “Sending all our love to those who don’t think twice making that sacrifice to help others.”
Angela Roseline, who brought flowers to the scene, said: “It’s affected me so badly that I had to come down just to show my respects.”
A navy blue T-shirt was left at the scene by firefighters from the London Fire Brigade, which Mr Sadler also worked for.
A fundraising page has been set up “to support the families in this sad and undoubtedly stressful time”.
On Saturday, police remained outside the entrance to Bicester Motion, which hosts classic car and aviation firms.
Rob MacDougall, chief fire officer from OFRS, said the firefighters’ families were being supported, adding: “Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for their privacy to be respected.”
Meanwhile, London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “This is clearly an incredibly difficult time for us all; we have lost a well-respected and much-loved colleague who exemplified courage and selflessness in the service of others.”
In a statement, OFRS said 10 crews attended the incident on Thursday and the fire was now under control. However there were “small pockets of smoke and heat so our fire crews remain on site dampening down”, it added.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Thames Valley Police has asked for people to avoid laying flowers at fire stations or at Bicester Motion to prevent obstructing roads and instead place them in Garth Park, Bicester.
A book of condolence has also been opened at Garth House.