Inferno at former RAF base kills two firefighters in provider’s worst day for 15 years

The fireplace provider suffered its deadliest day for 15 years as two firefighters died and two extra have been significantly injured tackling a blaze at a former RAF base.

The inferno on the 444-acre automobile complicated in Bicester, Oxfordshire, claimed the lives of the provider’s Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38.

Civilian David Chester, 57, from Bicester, additionally died within the inferno.

Flames lit up the sky above town all through the ‘apocalyptic’ blaze. Smoke and ash have been visual for miles round and citizens within the house have been prompt to stay indoors and shut their home windows.

In emotional scenes, Oxfordshire Fire And Rescue Service’s leader fireplace officer fought again tears as he showed the tragic losses on the scene the day before today. 

Pausing to compose himself, Rob MacDougall mentioned he used to be ‘immensely proud and thankful’ for the ‘unwavering bravery’ proven by means of the emergency services and products. 

He added: ‘It’s with a heavy middle that lately we record the lack of two of our fireplace officials. A member of the general public has additionally unfortunately died within the incident.

‘Two additional firefighters sustained critical accidents and are recently in health facility.’

30-year-old Jennie Logan (pictured) died within the blaze

Martyn Sadler, 38, additionally died within the inferno 

It used to be the deadliest unmarried incident for the hearth provider because the 2010 Shirley Towers tragedy.

The newest tragedy ended in an outpouring of grief, with the Prime Minister describing it as ‘devastating’.

‘The bravery of our firefighters is amazing. Hoping the ones in health facility make a complete and swift restoration,’ Sir Keir Starmer mentioned on X.

Tory chief Kemi Badenoch referred to as the hearth ‘a fully scary incident’ and mentioned she was hoping the investigation would expose what began the fatal inferno.

‘My middle is going out to the households of the ones individuals who have misplaced their lives… I’m hoping that we will be able to unravel precisely what is brought about this and be sure that it does not occur once more.’

Fire stations up and down the rustic reduced flags to half-mast and held a two-minute silence to honour their fallen colleagues.

It isn’t but recognized what brought about the ferocious blaze however Thames Valley Police has introduced an unexplained loss of life probe. However, the drive mentioned it’s ‘recently now not a felony investigation’.

Sherine Wheeler, leader govt of the Fire Fighter’s Charity, mentioned all of the firefighting group have been left ‘heartbroken’.

A member of the general public leaves plants on the scene of the Bicester Motion structures in Bicester, Oxfordshire on May 16, 2025

The web page used to be house to over 50 specialist companies that labored on restoring vintage automobiles

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service Chief Fire Officer, Rob MacDougall, speaks to the media outdoor at Bicester Motion, in Oxfordshire

‘It’s very uncommon and tragic to have the lack of two firefighters along a member of the general public and I feel the affect of this is being felt deeply,’ she mentioned.

Philip Garrigan, leader of the National Fire Chiefs Council, mentioned he used to be ‘devastated’, including: ‘Our firefighters are the easiest folks, their braveness and compassion is what cause them to so very particular.’

London fireplace commissioner Andy Roe mentioned sufferer Mr Sadler used to be a number one London firefighter and sub-officer who used to be on retained accountability with Oxfordshire Fire And Rescue Service (OFRS).

He added: ‘We are devastated by means of the lack of our colleague and our ideas stay with the households and pals of all the ones impacted by means of this incident.’

Ten crews have been referred to as to take on the inferno at 6.39pm on Thursday. Smoke might be noticed billowing around the the town and so far as north Oxford – with citizens reporting sounds of explosions, burning smells and ash dropping rain on them.

Julie Stocker recalled seeing the flames and noise from her house around the highway from the web page. She mentioned: ‘We may listen the crackle of the hearth after which clearly the quite a lot of explosions and stuff… the smoke used to be going very top.

‘We have been instructed to near home windows and doorways as a result of there used to be doubtlessly asbestos within the roof.’

Janine McKenna Jones, 48, described seeing ‘black ash’ close to her house, including: ‘It felt very apocalyptic since you see the sky and there is this large black cloud of smoke.’ Jake Bushen, 19, mentioned: ‘The largest fireplace I’ve noticed in my existence. I noticed it about 7.30am. It used to be going proper into the horizon. It used to be reasonably horrifying.’

 David Chester, 57, from Bicester, (pictured) additionally perished within the scary fireplace. He has been described as having a ‘selfless spirit’

Two firefighters and a member of the general public had been killed after an enormous blaze ripped via a former RAF base close to Bicester Village closing night time

Thames Valley police have showed hero firefighter Martyn Sadler, 38, (pictured) of Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Service died in the day before today’s blaze in Bicester

30-year-old Jennie Logan is likely one of the courageous firefighters who died within the Bicester fireplace the day before today

Another native, Toby Roberts, added: ‘I noticed smoke from all of the different facet of Bicester at Whitelands. There have been sirens blasting far and wide… I’ve lived my entire existence in Bicester and not noticed the rest find it irresistible.’

Bouquets have been positioned outdoor the compound, the place the hearth have been introduced ‘underneath keep watch over’ by means of Friday afternoon however a heavy police presence remained.

A poignant message left from Thames Valley Police learn: ‘To my Red Light Family, in reminiscence of 2 heroes.’

The web page, previously referred to as Bicester Heritage, is house to greater than 50 specialist companies, serious about vintage automotive recovery and engineering. In a observation Bicester Motion mentioned sufferer Mr Chester used to be a ‘shut good friend’ of the web page.

‘There aren’t any phrases… however our ideas and prayers are with their households and family members. We pray for the 2 firefighters in health facility. The bravery proven by means of the emergency services and products groups has been overwhelming. We are thankful for all of the toughen and the outstanding paintings by means of all in such exceptional instances.’