Funeral for 'hero' firefighter killed in hangar fire

Hundreds of people lined the streets to remember a firefighter killed alongside a colleague and a member of the public in a major blaze.

Martyn Sadler, 38, died along with colleague Jenny Logan, 30, and father-of-two Dave Chester, 57, at Bicester Motion in Oxfordshire on 15 May.

Mr Sadler's coffin, draped in the Union flag, was carried atop a London Fire Brigade (LFB) aerial ladder platform fire engine through Bicester's streets. The cortege paused outside its fire station, where firefighters stood to attention for a minute's silence.

Mourners at the town's St Edburg's church heard how Mr Sadler's had wanted to be a firefighter from childhood and had not been on call at the time of the fire.

Firefighters lined the route as the funeral cortege passed Bicester Fire Station

His coffin was brought into the church flanked by standard bearers from all of the country's fire services as hundreds of people watched on.

Mr Sadler worked as a retained firefighter for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, having joined its cadets programme aged 14, and the LFB.

He started his wholetime firefighter training with Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service, working in Slough, Langley and Maidenhead, before moving to the LFB in May 2022.

Senior staff from the three services attended the funeral.

A plaque from Mr Sadler's wife Charlie was carried into the church, marked with the three fire services' insignia, which read: "To my husband, forever my hero."

Mr Sadler considered being a firefighter to be his vocation, his father Duncan said

Rob MacDougall, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service's chief fire officer, said Mr Sadler's death "sent ripples" across the country because of the impact he made professionally.

"Let us remember his smile, his laughter and the joy he brought to all of us," Mr MacDougall said, his voice breaking.

His sister Kelly said her heart "broke into a million pieces" on hearing about his death and that he was not even on call when he attended the Bicester Motion fire.

"For 20-odd years you ran towards danger when most of us would run away and although I am a little bit mad at you for doing it that night when you weren't even on call, I know that you wouldn't have had it any other way," she said.

Mr Sadler's father Duncan said becoming a firefighter had been a long-standing ambition and that relatives, many of whom had worked for fire services, were "so proud" of his achievements.

The coffin of firefighter Martyn Sadler was carried into St Edburg's Church in Bicester

More than 450 people attended the service in the church, with the churchyard also filled by members of the public who listened on speakers.

Forecast thunderstorms that could have deterred them from staying did not materialise as the sun shone on the town.

The funeral was also streamed with many people watching online, including at fire stations.

The congregation heard From Now On, sung by Hugh Jackman in The Greatest Showman, and Hero by Mariah Carey. They sung hymns Jerusalem, Abide with Me and Amazing Grace.

A selection of pictures of Mr Sadler was accompanied by rugby anthem Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

Mr Sadler, along with Ms Logan, were members of Bicester Rugby Union Football Club, which has raised thousands of pounds in their memory.

Rev Peter Wright, who led the service, said it was his "sad privilege" to do so.

"We pray for Charlie, his widow, and know that she and Martyn's friends and family will carry on living with their memories, adjusting to life without him, and their ever-present grief," he added.

Martyn Sadler, Jennie Logan and Dave Chester all died in the devastating fire

Mr Sadler's funeral was the last for those who died in May.

Ms Logan was also honoured with a procession in Bicester on 14 June, which was attended by thousands.

The funeral for Mr Chester, who repaired heritage buildings at the former RAF base at the site, took place in Tackley, on 8 July.

Two other firefighters received serious injuries but have been released from hospital.

Last month, police, fire and Health and Safety Executive investigation work at the scene concluded.

Bicester Motion has since announced that Hangar 79, a Grade II listed building, is set for demolition due to significant fire damage.