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BBC News
7 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Bicester Motion fire: Charity football match in honour of victims
A charity football match in honour of three people killed in a fire at a business park is about "getting the community together", one of its organisers has told the 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 United, based near the town, will face off against a team of Oxford United legends to raise funds for the Firefighters Charity on 20 club's chairman, Ian Feaver, said it "needed to do something" as the incident had "affected the whole of the Bicester community". "When we think about Jennie, Martyn and David, pretty much everyone knows someone who knew one of those three people - so it really does affect everybody in quite a bad way," he said."Raising funds for the Firefighters Charity is important, but [it's also important] to get the community together to have an enjoyable evening whilst remembering those people." Mr Feaver said Oxford United had been "absolutely fantastic" in "supporting us to do something to raise funds".Several U's legends, including three players who secured the club's return to the Football League at Wembley in 2010, will feature in the Constable, who scored the second goal in that win over York City, said he was "massively looking forward" to the encounter."It's something really tough hearing that news that people have lost their lives trying to keep us all safe," he said."As soon as there was a mention of a game and something as simple as kicking a ball around with mates and raising money, it was something that I was keen do."The match - which will be refereed by current Football League ref and former firefighter Sam Allison - is a ticket-only event, with all money raised going to the Firefighters Charity. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken firefighters pay tribute to female colleague, 30, who was killed when major blaze collapsed building
Firefighters have lined the streets to honour the life of their young female colleague who died in the line of duty during a major blaze last month. Jennie Logan, 30, was given a full ceremonial fire service funeral, with mourners paying tribute to her bravery, fearlessness and dedication to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Ms Logan's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop an aerial ladder platform fire engine through the streets of Bicester in Oxfordshire on Saturday morning. Hundreds of people gathered along the route in respectful silence while uniformed firefighters marched behind the coffin. Ms Logan was killed in a fire at the Bicester Motion site on May 15, alongside fellow firefighter Martyn Sadler, 38, and local businessman Dave Chester, 57. The cortege paused outside Bicester fire station just after 10am, where firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence. A private service followed at the request of Ms Logan's family. Ten fire crews were called to tackle the blaze, and thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky. Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries in the blaze. Thames Valley Police said post-mortem examinations suggested the three victims sustained injuries 'typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure'. An investigation by the force's major crime unit is ongoing, alongside inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive and fire investigators. An inquest has been adjourned until 25 November. Ms Logan, was the second female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime, following Fleur Lombard, 21, who died in Bristol in 1996. Tributes poured in after the tragedy, with Ms Logan's family describing her as their 'hero'. 'Her bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end,' they said. 'She will always be our hero and we are so immensely proud of her. Forever in our hearts.' Books of condolence were opened across Bicester in the days following the fire, and two gold plaques were placed at the scene of the blaze. The tribute read: 'Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Bicester Motion. 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the sad loss of two firefighters and the member of the public. Love from the Bicester community.' Mr Sadler's family said firefighting 'was always in his blood', adding: '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. ' The family said Ms Logan was a 'much loved daughter and sister' and 'mum' to her dog Mouse. Mr Chester, a father of two, was described by his family as 'Bicester born and bred' with a 'quirky sense of humour'. 'He was not a victim but a hero,' they said. 'He died the way he lived - helping others and putting them ahead of himself.'
The Independent
14-06-2025
- The Independent
Hundreds line streets to pay tribute to firefighter Jennie Logan
Firefighters and wellwishers have lined the streets to honour the life of Jennie Logan, who died in the line of duty during a major blaze last month. The 30-year-old was given a full ceremonial Fire Service funeral, with mourners paying tribute to her bravery, fearlessness and dedication to Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service. Ms Logan's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop an aerial ladder platform fire engine through the streets of Bicester in Oxfordshire on Saturday morning. Hundreds of people gathered along the route in respectful silence while uniformed firefighters marched behind the coffin. Ms Logan was killed in a fire at the Bicester Motion site on May 15, alongside fellow firefighter Martyn Sadler, 38, and local businessman Dave Chester, 57. The cortege paused outside Bicester fire station just after 10am, where firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence. A private service followed at the request of Ms Logan's family. Ten fire crews were called to tackle the blaze, and thick black smoke could be seen rising into the sky. Two other firefighters sustained serious injuries in the blaze. Thames Valley Police said post-mortem examinations suggested the three victims sustained injuries 'typically caused by the collapse of part of a structure'. An investigation by the force's major crime unit is ongoing, alongside inquiries by the Health and Safety Executive and fire investigators. An inquest has been adjourned until 25 November. According to the BBC, Ms Logan, was the second female firefighter to die on duty in peacetime, following Fleur Lombard, 21, who died in Bristol in 1996. Tributes poured in after the tragedy, with Ms Logan's family describing her as their 'hero'. 'Her bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end,' they said. 'She will always be our hero and we are so immensely proud of her. Forever in our hearts.' Books of condolence were opened across Bicester in the days following the fire, and two gold plaques were placed at the scene of the blaze, signed: 'Love from the Bicester community.' Mr Sadler's family said firefighting 'was always in his blood', adding: '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.' Mr Chester, a father of two, was described by his family as 'Bicester born and bred' with a 'quirky sense of humour'. 'He was not a victim but a hero,' they said. 'He died the way he lived – helping others and putting them ahead of himself.'
BBC News
11-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bicester firefighter honoured with funeral procession
Firefighters have announced they will be paying tribute to their "colleague and friend" over the a Facebook post, Bicester Fire Station invited the community to show support to Jennie Logan, who was one of the three victims of the devastating blaze at Bicester Motion on 15 May. Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries - one remains in hospital in a stable condition and the other has been post says the cortege will take place at 10:00 BST on Saturday and will travel from Banbury Road in the town to the fire station on Queen's Avenue, where a minute's silence will be held. Ms Logan, 30, was killed in the blaze that engulfed a hanger at Bicester Motion alongside her colleague Martyn Sadler, 38, and father-of-two Dave Chester, 57. 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 the site force said it was still being treated as an unexplained death tribute after the fire, the family of Ms Logan said her "bravery and fearlessness shone through right until the end".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".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 Fire Station said road closures would be in place from 09:30 BST to support the funeral procession. The route will be lined with firefighters and emergency service service added that people's presence "will mean so much to us and Jennie's family and friends"."We thank you for your patience and understanding as we honour our colleague," the Facebook post added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- BBC News
Bicester Motion fire: investigation work concludes on site
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 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 other firefighters suffered serious injuries - one remains in hospital in a stable condition and the other has been 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 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 fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze as witnesses reported seeing black smoke in the 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 was home to RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in 2004. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
