The first image of a heroic firefighter who tragically lost his life alongside his courageous female colleague and a 57-year-old man in a blaze in Bicester has been revealed.
Brave firefighters, Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, of Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Service, passed away in yesterday’s blaze.
57-year-old David Chester, from Bicester, also perished in the horrifying fire which engulfed the former RAF base.
This morning, the fire service confirmed they were ‘mourning the loss’ of two colleagues killed in the blaze.
Reports suggest that this is the first instance of a firefighter losing their life while on duty since January 2023, with a total of 19 such fatalities recorded since the start of the century.
Their families are being supported by family liaison officers as an unexplained death probe is launched.
Authorities are not treating the incident as a criminal case at this point, opting to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Firefighting teams are still present at the site, working to extinguish any remaining flames.
Yesterday, witnesses said they heard multiple explosions and clouds of dense black smoke could be seen for miles following the fire at the motoring and aviation heritage site.
Around 10 fire crews rushed to the scene and having fought the blaze at the site since 6.30pm.
The former RAF base is now home to over 50 specialist businesses, which focus on classic car restoration and engineering.
Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall said this evening: ‘It is with a very heavy heart that we report the loss of two firefighters Jennie and Martyn.
‘Their families have been informed and are being supported by myself and the wider service.
‘Our thoughts are with them at this most difficult of times and we ask for their privacy to be respected.
‘We cannot release any details at present but will provide further information as soon as we can.’
Assistant Chief Constable at Thames Valley Police, Tim Metcalfe extended his condolences to all three who lost their lives in the inferno.
‘This is an absolute tragedy and my thoughts and the thoughts of everyone at Thames Valley Police are with the families, friends and colleagues of Jennie Logan of the Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, Martyn Sadler of the London Fire Brigade, and member of the public, David Chester, who have died in this incident,’ he said.
Fire crews across the nation have extended their condolences Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Service, as Essex County Fire and Rescue Service flew their flag at half mast as a ‘mark of respect’.
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: ‘We are saddened to hear of the tragic news that two firefighters from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have sadly lost their lives in the line of duty while dealing with a major incident in Bicester yesterday evening.
‘A member of the public also sadly lost their life, and two further firefighters have sustained serious injuries and are currently in hospital.
‘Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, colleagues, and those affected by this tragedy.
‘As a mark of respect, at 12 noon today, our Service flags will be flown at half-mast until further notice.’
Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service also released a touching tribute, which read: ‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of life that occurred yesterday in Bicester, which included a fellow firefighter from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and another from the London Fire Brigade.
‘Our deepest sympathies to all those affected, including those who were injured.’
Earlier today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer shared his ‘devastation’ at the news and praised the ‘astounding bravery’ of firefighters.
He posted on X: ‘Devastating news. My thoughts are with their families and friends. The bravery of our firefighters is astounding. Hoping those in hospital make a full and swift recovery.’
Eyewitnesses described seeing thick ‘black’ smoke in the sky from as far away as Oxford last night and hearing multiple loud explosions.
Vikas Talwar, 40, who lives in a housing estate near Bicester Motion, revealed he could see the fire from the street corner outside his house.
‘There was a lot of smoke yesterday. Lots of people were gathering here on the corner but a lot of smoke was coming out.,’ he said.
‘There was flames on the roof, on the top of the roof, and a huge big cloud of smoke in the air. I could see it from this corner near my house.’
Julie Stocker saw the flames from her bedroom window and described the deaths as ‘devastating’.
The 46-year-old, who lives across the road from Bicester Motion, said: ‘We could hear the crackle of the fire and then obviously the various explosions and stuff.
‘(The smoke) was going very high. It was a mixture of white smoke and then really thick black smoke.
‘We were praying that obviously no-one was injured, but sadly that’s not the case. It’s devastating.’
The stay-at-home mother said she was concerned about her relatives living in Bicester where the ‘potentially hazardous’ smoke was blown.
She said the site where the fire took place is usually ‘very busy’ and has seen workers being turned away by police on this morning.
Sharing a video of the blaze last night, Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley Matthew Barber described the situation as ‘awful’.
‘An awful situation in Bicester this evening at Bicester Heritage,’ he wrote on X, adding: ‘Officers from Thames Valley Police are assisting Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service in dealing with the significant incident.’
Kieran McGurk, a product director who near the site, also reported hearing ‘multiple bangs’ as he saw clouds of dark smoke fill the sky.
‘As we walked home and got closer to the smoke it seemed to get blacker and we heard the sirens,’ he said.
‘Multiple fire engines and police cars went past us and as we got to the corner at the bottom of the road ash started to fall and you could see the sheer scale of what was happening.
‘Loud bangs have been constantly going off and multiple helicopters are still circling the site.’
Bicester Motion, formerly known as Bicester Heritage, is home to over 50 specialist businesses, which focus on classic car restoration and engineering.
Historic England say the iconic airfield is ‘the most complete and strongly representative example of an RAF airbase’ in the country.
In a statement, Bicester Motion described the bravery of emergency services as ‘overwhelming’ as they said they were ‘deeply saddened’ by the three deaths.
They said: ‘We are deeply saddened to share the tragic news that two firefighters and a close friend of the site have lost their lives.
‘There are no words at times like this, but our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones. We pray for the two firefighters in hospital.
‘The bravery shown by the emergency services teams has been overwhelming. We are grateful for all the support and especially the exceptional work by all in such unprecedented circumstances.
‘The strength and kindness of the Bicester community, of which we are proud members, has truly shown itself.
‘The site will remain closed over the weekend as we continue to work closely with the emergency services.’
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have continued to advice locals to remain indoors as they continue to fight the blaze which is currently ‘under control;.
They said: ‘The fire is still ongoing but is under control. Other support appliances remain on scene including a hydraulic platform, a water carrier, a command unit and a high-volume pumping unit.
‘Advice for local residents to remain indoors and shut all windows has been lifted. Roads that were previously closed are now being opened but traffic is heavy.’
A South Central Ambulance spokesperson said: ‘We were called at 18.57 this evening to reports of a serious incident at Bicester Motion.
We sent a robust command structure to support staff and are currently on scene as the incident is ongoing’.
Molly Pipe told the BBC that the smoke could be smelt ‘from perhaps half a mile away’.
Meanwhile, local councillor Sam Holland added that he saw the blaze ‘from a distance’ adding: ‘There’s lots of emergency vehicles.
‘Bicester Motion were meeting there earlier. I had spoken to someone as they were leaving. I hope there is nobody hurt or worse.’
Oxford City Council lowered the City Flag flying over the 1930’s extension of Oxford Town Hall to half-mast today to mourn the loss of the three victims.
Councilor Susan Brown, leader of the city council said in a statement: ‘On behalf of Oxford City Council and the City of Oxford, I want to express my condolences to the families of those firefighters and the member of the public, who have tragically lost their lives in the fire at Bicester Motion.
‘This is a terrible reminder for us all that firefighters, as well as the other members of the emergency services, put themselves at risk on a daily basis, to protect us all. We owe them a deep debt of gratitude.
‘We are deeply saddened and our thoughts are with the family, colleagues and friends of those we have lost in this tragic incident.’
In a statement, MP for Bicester and Woodstock Calum Miller said: ‘I am heartbroken to learn that three people lost their lives in the fire yesterday at Bicester Motion.
‘My deep condolences go to the family and friends who are now grieving their loss.
‘I want to pay tribute to the bravery of our firefighters and emergency services. It is terrible that two fire officers have lost their lives in the line of duty.
‘The death of colleagues will be felt by all in the fire service family and I am holding them in my thoughts. This is a devastating moment for our community. I know it will express its support and care for all those affected.’
Philip Garrigan, chief of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said: ‘I am devastated by the news that two firefighters have lost their lives responding to a major incident in Bicester on Thursday evening.
‘I am also deeply saddened that a member of the public has also died in the incident.
‘Our firefighters are the very best of us, their courage and compassion is what make them so very special.
‘My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.’
Another resident who lives near Bicester Motion said she thought the ‘popping’ noises were gunshots and described the deaths as ‘very sad, very shocking’.
The woman, who did not want to be named, said: ‘When we looked out the window … obviously it was a fire. But later on, there were like proper explosions.’
She said her neighbours were packing bags in case they were evacuated from their homes.
The Fire Brigades Union said: ‘The Fire Brigades Union is aware of a tragic incident at Bicester, in which one member of the public and two firefighters have been confirmed dead.
‘Our thoughts are with their family, friends and colleagues.
‘The Fire Brigades Union will provide whatever support is required in the days ahead, and in time we will investigate what happened.’
Bicester resident Janine McKenna Jones, 48, described seeing ‘black ash’ near her home following the fatal fire.
‘When I got home there was this massive black ash… sort of smoke,’ she said: ‘They closed the road at some point in the evening and I think it was closed until maybe 5am because you could still see the flashing lights.
‘It felt very apocalyptic, if that makes sense, because you see the sky and there’s this big black cloud of smoke.’
She said she is still keeping windows shut at her home due to the smell of smoke.
Ms Jones added: ‘I just read about the deaths on the news and it’s just sad really.
‘And it’s a shame because obviously it’s local people so it’s always a shame too when people lose their lives trying to help others.’
