Skip to content

Bicester fire victim was 'the most amazing man'

Galya Dimitrova
BBC News, Oxford
Family handout Dave Chester smiling for the camera in what looks like a pub. He is wearing a flat cap and glasses.Family handout
Dave Chester's family described him as "Bicester born and bred" with a "quirky sense of humour"

The family of a man who died in a fire at a business park that also claimed the lives of two firefighters have paid tribute to "the most amazing man we will ever know".

Father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, was killed in the blaze that engulfed the Bicester Motion site in Oxfordshire on Thursday evening, along with firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38.

Mr Chester's family described him as "Bicester born and bred" with a "quirky sense of humour".

"He was not a victim but a hero, he died the way he lived – helping others and putting them ahead of himself," the tribute added.

Facebook A composite of Martyn Sadler, wearing fire uniform and smiling, and Jennie Logan, wearing a grey jumper and cuddling a brown dog in front of a field of tulips and Dave Chester who is wearing a grey suit and lighter grey shirt which has a white collarFacebook
Firefighters Martyn Sadler and Jennie Logan were killed along with Mr Chester

"He was a loving and caring father, husband, son and brother.

"Although he is no longer with us he will always be in our hearts and his legacy will continue."

Thames Valley Police said two other firefighters who suffered serious injuries are "conscious and remain in a stable condition" in hospital.

Church services and a two-minute silence have been held to remember the victims.

The town mayor Alisa Russell at the site of Bicester Motion. She is looking at the camera. She is waring glasses with a black frame.
Bicester Town Council mayor Alisa Russell said the fire was "a tragedy which teaches us different lessons"

The town's mayor Alisa Russell said the community was "really supportive and really close".

"It's a tragedy which teaches us different lessons," she said.

"I hope we will be able to recover and we just want to offer as a town council our condolences to the families to those who've lost their lives."

Flowers left at Bicester Motion's site.
The town has been paying tribute to the victims at the site which remains closed

Firefighter Mr Sadler has been described as "a really amazing guy" with "a generous heart".

A friend of Ms Logan said she would be remembered "for the friend she was, and just how strong, modest and reliable [she was]".

Nicholas Mawer, who represents Bicester North on Cherwell District Council, told the BBC: "These people are the best of Bicester."

Police are still standing guard outside Bicester Motion, and are working with fire investigators to establish the cause of the blaze in what TVP said was a "complex investigation which may take some time".

Flower tributes have been left at the site and outside Bicester Fire Station since Thursday.

The fire service said it would be "grateful" if people laid flowers at Garth Park "to avoid obstruction to the highways".

Police officer outside Bicester Motion.
TVP said the fire's investigation was a "complex" and "may take some time"

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

Both of them were involved with Bicester Rugby Union Football Club's women's team.

Mr Chester, who ran family business Chesters & Sons at Bicester Motion, joined the estate when it was bought 12 years ago and was described as "part of the fabric of our estate and a friend to us all".

A rugby ball among the tributes. Written on it is: 'Jen & Martyn Our Brave Heroes' and a heart.
The firefighters were involved with Bicester Rugby Union Football Club's women's team

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.