2025 Bicester Motion fire
Map of the Bicester Motion site, with fire location marked | |
| Date | 15 May 2025 |
|---|---|
| Time | Fire started c.18:39 (BST) |
| Location | RAF Bicester, Launton, Bicester, Oxfordshire, England OX27 8AL |
| Coordinates | 51°54′59″N 1°08′26″W / 51.9164630°N 1.1406506°W |
| Deaths | 3 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2 |
The Bicester Motion fire broke out at around 18:39 BST on 15 May 2025, at a hangar at the Bicester Motion site on Bicester Airfield in Bicester, Oxfordshire. As of June 2025 cause of the fire is unknown, with Thames Valley Police continuing to investigate. According to several car groups, the hangar affected was hangar 79, which held various vintage vehicles, including a Bedford 1960's mobile cinema bus, a 1968 Bristol RELH Red & White coach, and a Thirstywagon 1920's mobile bar.
The fire killed three people – firefighters Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service – and a member of the public, Bicester businessman and "close friend of the site" David Chester. Two other firefighters remain in hospital with serious injuries. Tributes were paid to those who died, including church services and a moment of silence.
Incident
Beginnings
The fire broke out at around 18:39 BST on 15 May 2025. The fire was initially attended to by ten fire and rescue crews.[1] Local residents were advised by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service to stay inside and keep doors and windows closed.[2] According to several car groups, the hangar affected was hangar 79, which held Audrey (a restored Bedford 1960s mobile cinema bus),[3] and a 1968 Bristol RELH Red & White coach,[4] along with other vintage vehicles.[5]
Initial statement
Bicester Motion released a statement on 15 May, saying they "are aware of an incident", and that emergency services were attending the site.[6] At 01:34 on 16 May, saying they are "working closely with the emergency services", and that the site was to be closed on 16 May, and over the weekend of 17–18 May, with a further statement to come out "as appropriate".[7][8]
Deaths and injuries
Two firefighters and a member of public were killed in the blaze. The firefighters were later named as Jennie Logan (born 1994 or 1995), a member of the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and Martyn Sadler (born 1986 or 1987), also a member of the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service as well as the London Fire Brigade. The member of the public was a man from Bicester, David Chester (born 1967 or 1968),[9][10] who worked at the Bicester Motion site, and ran the family business Chester & Sons.[11][8] It was later revealed via post-mortem that all three died from multiple traumatic injuries, which initial investigations show were likely caused by the collapse of the building.[12][13]
Two firefighters were also brought to hospital with serious injuries. They are conscious and in a stable condition.[14] The council later stated that the fire was "under control", with the number of fire and rescue crews remaining on site reduced to four.[15][16]
Further statements
A further statement was released by Bicester Motion at around 10:00am on 16 May, which stated that they were "deeply saddened" by the news of the deaths of Logan and Sadler, and Chester – who they referred to as "a close friend of the site".[17]
They released another statement at around 20:10, referring to the statement by Thames Valley Police, as well as extending their "heartfelt condolences" to the families of the Logan, Sadler, and Chester. They said that Chester "had a long history with the estate", and said they "cherish" him, and that he "will be sorely missed".[11]
Police investigation
Thames Valley Police stated that they "have commenced an unexplained death investigation". They said it is "currently not a criminal investigation" but that they would "follow the evidence as our enquiries continue".[18] The cause of the fire remains unknown.[1] Police are expected to remain at the scene over the next few days.[19]
Reactions and tributes
There have been multiple tributes for Logan, Sadler, and Chester. Oxfordshire's chief fire officer Rob MacDougall announced the deaths, speaking with "a heavy heart". Thames Valley Police assistant chief constable Tim Metcalfe said the deaths were "an absolute tragedy".[19] Flowers were laid near the Bicester Motion entrance.[20] Flags were flown at half mast at Garth House "as an expression of our sorrow and respect for those who lost their lives".[21]
Church services and a two-minute silence were held.[22] Firefighters held a guard of honour.[20] Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright sent "condolences" on behalf of the Union to "the family, friends and colleagues" of those who died.[23] On 22 May, Bicester Motion released an additional update to their statement, with a tribute from their CEO, Daniel Geoghegan. Geoghegan said that Bicester Motion are "grateful to the emergency services" and that their "thoughts are also with the two firefighters still in hospital".[24]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Fire at Bicester motoring and aviation site under control". BBC News. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Fire at historic motoring and aviation site Bicester Motion". BBC News. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ^ "Home Page". Vintage Mobile Cinema. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Details of a 1968 Bristol RELH chassis with Eastern Coach Works body and Leyland 600 engine. New to Red & White Chepstow". Red and White Bus. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Bicester Heritage fire: Damage to vintage car hangar amid tragedy". Oxford Mail. Archived from the original on 17 May 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ "Statement: Thursday 15 May 2025". Bicester Motion. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "Statement: 01:34 Friday 16 May 2025". Bicester Motion. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ a b Taylor, Harry (17 May 2025). "Tributes paid to three victims of Bicester blaze". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Police name firefighters and member of public killed at former RAF base in Bicester". Sky News. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Firefighters killed in business park blaze named". BBC News. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Statement: 20:10 Friday 16 May 2025". Bicester Motion. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ Gudge, Ethan (27 May 2025). "Bicester fire victims likely injured by building collapse, police say". BBC News. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ Eastaugh, Martin (30 May 2025). "Bicester fire: MP Anneliese Dodds says 'lessons must be learned'". BBC News. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "Amended- Investigation continues – Bicester Fire Update". Thames Valley Police. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Bicester fire: Two firefighters and member of public dead after blaze at old RAF base". BBC News. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Two firefighters and member of public dead after large fire at ex-RAF base". The Independent. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ "Statement: 10:00 Friday 16 May 2025". Bicester Motion. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
- ^ "Update on Bicester Fire". Thames Valley Police. 16 May 2025. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Bicester fire: Tributes for firefighters and father killed". BBC News. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Firefighters form guard of honour after two colleagues and business owner die in Bicester blaze". Sky News. 17 May 2025. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ Almroth-Wright, Indy; Leyland, Briony (18 May 2025). "Bicester fire: Services held for killed firefighters and father". BBC News. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ Almroth-Wright, Indy; Leyland, Briony (18 May 2025). "Bicester fire: Services held for killed firefighters and father". BBC News. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "FBU responds to the deaths of Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler | Fire Brigades Union". Fire Brigades Union. Retrieved 18 May 2025.
- ^ "Statement: 18:45 hours Thursday 22 May 2025". Bicester Motion. 22 May 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.