Bicester fire victims likely injured by building collapse, police say

Two firefighters and a member of the public who died during a fire at a business park sustained injuries in line with those “typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure”, police have said.

Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, along with father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, were killed in the blaze that engulfed the Bicester Motion site on 15 May.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) said post-mortem examinations showed that all three died from multiple traumatic injuries.

Two other firefighters seriously injured in the incident remain in hospital in stable conditions, the force added.

TVP Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray said: “Our initial investigations suggest that all three sustained injuries in line with those typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure.”

He said the force would make no further comment on the post-mortems’ 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,” he 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.”

The fire was reported at about 18:30 BST on Thursday and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham Road, and a major incident was declared.

Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze as witnesses reported seeing black smoke in the sky.

Following the blaze, Bicester Town Council opened books of condolence, while church services and silences have also taken place.

Two gold plaques have been hung at Bicester Motion, with both signed: “Love from the Bicester Community.”

Paying tribute last week, Mr Sadler’s family said being a firefighter was “always in his blood”, adding that he was “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,” they added.

The family of Ms Logan said her “bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end.”

“She will always be our hero and we are so immensely proud of her. Forever in our hearts,” they said.

Mr Chester’s family described him as “Bicester born and bred” with a “quirky sense of humour”.

“He was not a victim but a hero, he died the way he lived – helping others and putting them ahead of himself.”

Nicholas Mawer, who represents Bicester North on Cherwell District Council, told the BBC those lost in the fire were “the best of Bicester”.

“Thankfully these incidents are very rare but it’s deeply affected the community,” he added.

Ms Logan and Mr Sadler were members of Bicester Rugby Union Football Club (BRUFC), with Ms Logan on the Bicester Vixens women’s team.

“We are a tight-knit club,” BRUFC’s chairman Paul Jaggers said.

“Obviously losing two of your members in any situation is really tough and it’s had a profound impact.”

A fundraiser launched by the club has raised more than £22,500 for the Fire Fighters Charity since the tragedy.

Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF Bicester.

It was home to RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in 2004.

The site partially reopened on Wednesday, in what the business park called a “phased return to work for on-site businesses”.