The fire safety community and the town of Bicester are united in grief after the tragic deaths of two firefighters and a local business owner during a large-scale fire at Bicester Motion last Thursday evening.

Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, both serving with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service were killed while responding to the incident. The blaze also claimed the life of David Chester, 57, a respected business owner and long-standing member of the Bicester business community.

Tributes have poured in from across the region and beyond. On Sunday, hundreds gathered at Garth Park to hold a two-minute silence, a poignant show of respect for those lost. Books of condolence have been opened at Garth House, offering the public a way to share their thoughts and memories.

Nicholas Mawer, a local councillor for Bicester North, described the firefighters as "the best of Bicester", capturing the widespread sentiment felt across the town.

Firefighter Martyn Sadler was also a member of the London Fire Brigade and a dedicated rugby enthusiast. Jennie Logan, equally committed to her service, was known for her unwavering determination and community involvement, especially with Bicester Vixens, the local women’s rugby team.

Oxford Fire Officer Michael Brooker, a colleague and friend of Mr Sadler, described him as someone whose "big beaming smile" lifted spirits wherever he went. “He had a generous heart,” Mr Brooker said. “We're resilient people, we do hurt, but we do need to honour them and continue doing what they loved doing themselves."

Mr Chester, who ran Chesters & Sons at the Bicester Motion estate, was well known in the local business landscape and valued as a collaborative partner in several historic preservation efforts. Historic England acknowledged him as a “valued partner”, adding that it had been a privilege to work with him.

Emergency services continue to investigate the cause of the fire. Thames Valley Police described the situation as complex, and the site is expected to remain closed for some time.