Hero firefighters die in horror inferno at former RAF airbase

Grief and tributes as member of public loses life too

- By Paul Jeeves

TWO firefighters were last night praised for their “unwavering bravery” after they were killed along with a member of the public in a blaze at a former RAF base.

The devastating fire near Bicester in Oxfordshire also left two other fire crew in hospital with serious injuries. Witnesses said they heard multiple explosions from Bicester Motion business centre while clouds of dense black smoke could be seen from miles away.

Last night the firefighters were named as Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38. The member of public who died was David Chester, 57, from Bicester.

Martyn, a London firefighter from Ealing Blue Watch, was serving on retained duty at Bicester.

Oxfordshire fire chief Rob MacDougall fought back emotion as he confirmed the deaths, taking several pauses to compose himself.

He hailed the “unwavering bravery” of those who fought the inferno and said: “It is with a heavy heart that today we report the loss of two of firefighters Jennie and Martyn.” He added: “A member of the public has also sadly died in the incident. Two further firefighters sustained serious injuries and are currently in hospital. The families have been informed and are being supported.”

The fire at the car restoration and engineering hub erupted on Thursday.