Bicester Motion fire: investigation work concludes on site

BBC News

10-06-2025

The scene of a fire in which two firefighters and a member of the public died, has been handed back to its operator, 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 a hanger on the Bicester Motion site on 15 May.Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries - one remains in hospital in a stable condition and the other has been discharged.Thames Valley Police said police, fire and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation work at the scene had concluded and it had been handed back to its operator, Bicester Motion.
The force said it was still being treated as an unexplained death investigation.Although the scene watch had been lifted, a cordon remained in place to prevent public access. Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray said: "Our thoughts will always be with the loved ones of Jennie Logan, Martyn Sadler and Dave Chester, as well as the injured firefighters, following this tragic incident."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.
The fire was reported at about 18:30 BST on 15 May 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.Paying tribute after the fire, the family of Mr Sadler, who previously worked for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) and was also part of London Fire Brigade, said being a firefighter was "always in his blood", adding that he was "the true definition of a hero".The family of Ms Logan said her "bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end".Mr Chester's family described him as "Bicester born and bred" with a "quirky sense of humour".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.
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