Town marks a year since 'true heroes' killed in fire

In the early evening of the 15 May 2025, a large fire started in a repurposed aircraft hangar on an Oxfordshire business park. A year on, the effects of the blaze are still being felt.

The blaze that engulfed Bicester Motion on that spring evening killed firefighters Martyn Sadler, 38, and Jennie Logan, 30 alongside father-of-two Dave Chester.

Two other firefighters were also seriously injured in the incident - with both spending more than a month in hospital recovering following the tragedy.

In the 12 months since the fatal blaze, Bicester has mourned the loss of three of the town's "best" - with vigils, memorial sporting fixtures and charity fundraisers all keeping their memory alive.

Marking the anniversary, Oxfordshire's chief fire officer Rob MacDougall said: "Their loss is something that stays with all of us.

"We know how deeply cared for, loved and respected Jennie, Martyn and Dave were to everyone who knew them."

MacDougall thanked the local community for the "outpouring of kindness and support that has been shown in their honour".

"The compassion shown by so many people over the last year is something we will never forget," he said.

He encouraged those wanting the mark the anniversary to "take a moment... to quietly reflect on the tragedy that unfolded a year ago and caused the devastating loss of Jennie, Martyn and Dave".

"It will forever be a reminder of what we ask of our firefighters and our emergency service colleagues," he said.

On Friday, a private ceremony involving the families and colleagues of the victims will see a memorial garden unveiled in their memory at Bicester Fire Station.

Later in the day, a service will be held at St Edburg's Church in the town, which hosted the funerals of both Jennie and Martyn following the fire.

Speaking ahead of the remembrance ceremony, Reverend Peter Wright told the BBC there was a "sense of solemnity" around the anniversary.

"People are wanting to remember what happened, not to dwell on it, but not to let it go unmarked," he said.

"People want to remember to show their support for the families, those who were injured, and all those in the wider community who are still bearing that sense of shock and pain and loss.

"Although this made national headlines, it was something that really happened in the heart of Bicester and so many people were either directly affected or just felt an emotional connection to this awful news."

Speaking a year on from the fire, Bicester MP Calum Miller said those killed had been "true local heroes".

"I think people are really amazed to think it's been a whole year since a tragedy that affected the whole town," he said.

"[It was] this extraordinary situation where something that happened to Bicester became national news and a national disaster and that's kind of difficult - when the national spotlight gets put on a small town.

"This place dealt with it in an incredible way, with a big heart and by coming out to show their support for the families and loved ones of those who'd been killed."

Miller told the story of two local boys who had been out riding their bikes in the days after the tragedy, and stopped to salute a passing fire engine.

"There's something really special in that respect for our public servants and for people who put themselves and their lives in danger to serve the community."

Outside of their roles as firefighters, Sadler and Logan both played a large role at Bicester Rugby Club - with both involved in the club's women's team.

Since their deaths, the club's former chairman Chris Dabell has taken on an array of challenges - including last month's London Marathon - while dressed in full firefighter uniform.

"Their loss massively impacted the whole community, the rugby club and myself as well - I personally can't believe it's been a year," he said.

He said he had fond memories of conversing on the sidelines with the two firefighters, adding: "The rugby club is a massive family and they were very much a member of our own families."

Dabell has so far raised more than £8,000 for the Fire Fighters Charity in honour of the three killed at Bicester Motion.

"I just wanted to represent that the front lines are not just abroad - they're at home as well and fought by our service personnel, like the fire service," he added.

Home Office statistics showed the fire was only the fourth incident in which a firefighter had died while tackling a blaze in England in the past 15 years.

The blaze also marked the first time since April 2010 that two firefighters had died while battling a fire in England.

The Fire Brigades Union said its thoughts remained "with Jennie and Martyn's families and workmates", and on "supporting them at this difficult time".

It said it was also remembering Dave Chester on the one-year anniversary.

The union said its investigation into the blaze was "ongoing" and that its officials were "working hard to assess the evidence".

"We aim to understand the immediate and underlying causes of the fire, and then draw lessons to prevent deaths and injuries in future," the union added.

The fire at Bicester Motion was first reported at 18:39 BST on 15 May 2025 and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site.

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

An investigation into the fire, and its cause, is being carried out by Thames Valley Police alongside the Health and Safety Executive.

Issuing an update this week, the force said it was "continuing to support" the families and surviving victims while "conducting a thorough investigation".

"We understand the impact this incident has had on the community and the desire for answers, but we regularly update the families and victims, as well as the coroner, and will inform the public of any significant updates when we can," the force said.

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

In a statement, the business park said: "We stand with the nation and the whole Bicester community behind the families of Dave Chester, Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler.

"Their strength has been humbling and continues to be so.

"Time has not lessened the grip of sadness, nor our deep gratitude and thanks to everyone who responded at 18:39 on the tragic evening of Thursday 15 May 2025.

"Many went beyond their call of duty, including in our own team and close friends of the site. They are all at the forefront of our minds today."

The Grade II listed building where the fire broke out was "sensitively demolished" last year.

It came after a discussion with Historic England, Cherwell District Council and teams of expert health and safety, environmental and structural professionals, which all agreed the need to demolish the remaining structure.