Tributes to firefighters and father killed in blaze

Tributes have been pouring in after the deaths of two firefighters and a 57-year-old man in a fire at an Oxfordshire business park.

Firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, died at Bicester Motion on Thursday. Father-of-two David Chester, who worked at the site, was also killed.

Sherine Wheeler, of the Fire Fighter's Charity, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was "a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifices shown by firefighters every day".

Two other firefighters who sustained serious injuries are conscious and in a stable condition in hospital, police say.

Both Ms Logan and Mr Sadler were involved with the women's team at Bicester Rugby Union Football Club, which said "their presence at the club will be massively missed".

"Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to their families, friends and our members at this terrible time," the club added.

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has offered its condolences. General secretary Steve Wright said: "Jennie and Martyn died in the line of duty protecting their community.

"They were both well-loved and widely respected. We are proud that they were members of our union."

He said the FBU would be conducting a full investigation into the incident, adding: "For now, we are grieving for our fallen colleagues and friends."

Both firefighters worked at Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and Mr Sadler was also part of the London Fire Brigade.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said Mr Sadler "exemplified courage and selflessness" and had been serving on retained duty at Bicester Fire Station.

He was a leading firefighter in Ealing, west London, and an instructor in breathing apparatus and fire behaviour at the Fire Service College.

A guard of honour was formed by 14 firefighters at Bicester Fire Station, to welcome back two of the fire engines sent to the scene.

Firefighters removed their helmets and stood in two lines as the fire engines drove through the entrance.

Flowers have also been left at the fire station.

Bicester Motion, home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering.

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

Paying tribute to "the three lives that have been lost", Bicester Motion's chairman Daniel Geoghegan said the firefighters showcased "the epitome of selfless service" and had "gone above and beyond under unprecedented circumstances".

Mr Geoghegan said father-of-two Mr Chester, who ran family business Chesters & Sons, had "a long history with the estate".

He said Mr Chester was "part of the fabric of our estate and a friend to us all".

"He joined us 12 years ago when we first bought the site and, with his wife and two sons, has been a pillar of our whole business community," he said.

"Our whole community used to say that 'Dave always had our back'. Yesterday, he was doing just that - the epitome of his selfless spirit."

The Chesters & Sons website says its work at the former RAF base "included carefully unearthing four buried wartime air raid shelters so as not to damage the structures to allow them to be renovated by another contractor".

People are now being asked to lay their flowers in the town's Garth Park, with a book of condolence set to open at Garth House from Monday.

Among the tributes left at the scene was a navy blue T-shirt with the words "A21 Paddington London Fire Brigade".

One card, addressed from Ms Logan's dogs, read: "Jennie, you always were and will be our 'mum' and we will miss you more than anyone can know.

"We will see you one day across the rainbow bridge. All our love, Cooper and Barney."

The fire, reported at about 18:30 BST, rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar.

At its height, 10 fire crews tackled the blaze.

Fire investigators and Thames Valley Police say they are working to establish the cause of the blaze.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, said: "Our inquiries are ongoing but this is a complex investigation which may take some time."

Shortly before midday on Saturday, the fire was said to have been brought under control with "no visible flames".

Oxfordshire County Council, which runs the county's fire service, said there were still "small pockets of smoke and heat" and crews remained on site "dampening down".

Ms Wheeler, speaking on the Today programme on Saturday, said the Fire Fighter's Charity was "heartbroken by what has happened".

"Firefighters go to work every day knowing that there are risks but when something like this happens it brings that reality really crashing home," she said.

A golden plaque has been placed underneath the Bicester Motion sign at the entrance to the site.

The tribute reads: "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."

Pam Stiddig, who lives nearby and saw the fire, visited Garth Park to lay flowers.

She said: "I've come because they are our local heroes. It's very, very sad."

Oxford City Council has lowered the city's flag at the Town Hall to half-mast.

St Laurence's Church in Banbury Road, Caversfield, close to the site, said it was open "for anyone looking for a space for private prayer or for stillness and reflection".

A book of condolence has also been opened at the church.

Oxfordshire County Council said it recognised "people may wish to pay their respects" but urged anyone wishing to lay flowers to take them to Garth Park "to avoid obstruction to the highways".

The park, in Launton Road, is set to open from 07:30 to 21:00 BST daily.

People can also sign the book of condolence between Monday and Thursday 09:00 to17:00 and Friday 09:00 to 16:00.

At the scene on Friday, Oxfordshire's Chief Fire Officer Rob MacDougall was visibly emotional and spoke with "a heavy heart" when he confirmed the deaths.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Metcalfe, of Thames Valley Police, described the deaths as "an absolute tragedy" and said the thoughts of everyone at the force were with the families, friends and colleagues of those who had died.

Officers are expected remain at the scene for a number of days to ensure the public remain safe, the force said.

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