‘Tragic fire at Bicester Motion will live with me forever’, says FBU leader
Tomorrow marks six months since Jennie Logan, Martyn Sadler and Dave Chester lost their lives in the blaze.
The leader of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says the tragic and fatal incident at Bicester Motion has affected firefighters across the county and it will be a day that lives with him forever.
Tomorrow will mark six months since the devastating blaze took the lives of firefighters Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler, as well as father-of-two Dave Chester.
Fire crews were called to the scene at 18:39 at on 15th May 2025.
A ceremonial funeral procession has been held for both Jennie and Martyn, and a private funeral was held for Dave Chester in July.
Steve Wright, General Secretary of the FBU said: “I think that'll be a day that lives with me, and lives of firefighters, forever. Not just firefighters in Oxfordshire, but nationwide.
“I've been in the fire service for 25 years and every firefighter that dies in the line of duty is etched on your memory; then their name, the circumstances, what you were doing on that day, and this is no different.”
"A real moment of reflection"
Mr Wright also says they are continuing to remember the lives lost.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, he said: “At our head office in central London, we've got a line of duty rollcall, and it's got the name of every firefighter that has been lost in the line of duty.
“Just last week we added Jennie and Martyn's name to that. So that was a sobering reminder of the number of firefighters that we've lost on the front-line attending incidents, but to add two more this year, a sad moment and a real moment of reflection.”
"We will do what we can to make sure lessons are learned"
Thames Valley Police say inquiries are still ongoing into the incident which remains an unexplained death investigation, not a criminal investigation.
We are also yet to find out the cause of the blaze and what led to those being injured and those who died.
The FBU General Secretary says, “we are part of that investigation as a union and we will do what we can to make sure that lessons are learned.
“From any fire fatality or fire fighter lost in the line of duty, there is always something that can be learned”.
He added: “Unfortunately, I think when you see cuts, often those safety elements are failing in many places. I'm not saying that's the case here, but we do need to learn what that looks like and what those lessons that come out of this tragic incident mean.”
A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We are conducting a thorough investigation, alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), into the circumstances that led to the tragic deaths and serious injuries at Bicester Motion in May."
Adding: "We and HSE remain committed to meticulously gathering and reviewing all available evidence to reassure the coroner, the injured parties and the families of those who sadly lost their lives, that all legal and procedural matters have been considered in respect of any coronial or criminal processes.”