Fatal Bicester fire 'moves to recovery phase'

The town has been paying tribute to the victims at the site which remains closed

A fire at a business park which claimed three lives has been brought under control and a police investigation is under way.

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

Thames Valley Police said it had now taken over the scene from Oxfordshire County Council's Fire and Rescue Service after fire crews had brought the fire under control and made the area safe.

It said the major incident status had now been removed, with the operation moving "from a rescue to a recovery phase".

Firefighters Martyn Sadler and Jennie Logan were killed along with Dave Chester

Two more firefighters are in hospital after suffering serious injuries but remain in a stable condition.

According to police, there is no information of anyone else in the building.

Assistant Chief Constable Dennis Murray said: "Firstly, the thoughts of everyone at Thames Valley Police remain with the two injured firefighters, their family, friends and colleagues as well as the family, friends and colleagues of Dave Chester, Jennie Logan and Martyn Sadler.

"We have now taken primacy for the incident and our major crime unit is carrying out an unexplained death investigation.

"I want to reiterate that this is currently not a criminal investigation, however, we will follow the evidence as our inquiries continue.

"The building is currently being assessed by structural engineers to understand whether it is safe to allow our officers and partners to carry out examinations at the scene.

"We will be supported by the fire service in trying to establish the cause of the fire.

"I would like to thank all of our partners who have been involved in responding to this tragic incident."

The fire was reported at about 18:30 BST on Thursday and rapidly spread through a former aircraft hangar at the site on Buckingham Road, and a major incident was declared.

Ten fire and rescue crews were called to tackle the blaze as witnesses reported seeing black smoke in the sky.

Bicester Motion is home to more than 50 specialist businesses, focused on classic car restoration and engineering on the former site of RAF Bicester.

It was home to RAF Bomber Command in World War Two and became redundant in 2004.

Many people gathered in Garth Park on Sunday to remember those who lost their lives

Bicester Town Council has opened books of condolence at Garth House, and church services and a two-minute silence took place on Sunday.

Bicester Rugby Football Union Club has raised more than £11,000 for the Fire Fighters charity since the tragedy.