The Bicester Motion fire broke out at Hangar 79 on the Bicester Airfield at around on May 15, 2025.

It claimed the lives of firefighters Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38, both serving with Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (OFRS), who were both members of Bicester rugby Union Football Club, and business owner David Chester, 57.

Post‑mortem examinations later found all three victims died from multiple traumatic injuries, believed to have been caused when parts of the building collapsed

Two other firefighters suffered serious injuries and were taken to hospital. They have both since been discharged.

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said: “As we reach the first anniversary of Bicester Motion our thoughts are with the families of Martyn Sadler, Jennie Logan, and Dave Chester.

“Investigations have not yet concluded. We continue to work with other agencies such as Thames Valley Police and the HSE. We remain in close and regular contact with the families of the bereaved.”

(Image: Chris Barr)

The fire broke out at around 6.39pm after smoke was seen billowing from aviation and motoring site in Oxfordshire, formerly the RAF Bicester.

The incident was initially attended by 10 fire and rescue crews to the site off Buckingham Road.

Tributes were paid across Bicester and beyond with flowers and messages left at the entrance to Bicester Motion with OFRS firefighters forming a guard of honour to remember their colleagues.

Flowers and tributes following the fatal fire at Bicester Motion (Image: Newsquest)

The days following the fire, authorities reacted, including the National Fire Chiefs Council and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who described the news as devastating, adding that “the bravery of our firefighters is astounding”.

Bicester Motion also released statements sharing its condolences with the families, expressing gratitude for community support.

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It said: “[…] There are no words at times like this, but our thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones […].”

Chief fire officer Rob MacDougall (Image: Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service)

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue chief fire officer, Rob MacDougall, appeared “emotional” as he paid tribute to the “unwavering bravery”, on May 16, 2025.

A week on from the fire, a minute’s silence was observed at Bicester Motion and other stations, simultaneously, including in Henley, Bampton and Carterton.

The process to demolish Hangar 79 sensitively began in august 2025 following discussions with Historic England, Cherwell District Council and other health and safety and environmental experts.

Oxfordshire County Council confirmed in January that it had spent £90,000 on the investigation and survey work so far, with the whole investigation estimated to cost the county council £500,000. However, this may increase further due to the complexity of the case.

The investigation into the fire by Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive is still ongoing with the cause remaining unknown.

Throughout the year tribute fundraisers took place throughout the county and beyond, for the Fire Fighters Charity. This included Chris Brummell running this year’s London Marathon in memory of Martyn, his brother-in-law.

Thames Valley Police, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue and Bicester Motion have yet to release official statements on the anniversary.

The retired footballer lives in the Oxfordshire Cotswolds with his wife, the Spice Girl Victoria Beckham.

They share their £12m mansion in Great Tew, opposite the exclusive Soho Farmhouse club.

Today, it was announced that Sir David has made history and has become Britain’s first billionaire sportsman in the 2026 Sunday Times Rich List.

The collective wealth of Beckham and his wife Victoria passed the billion-pound mark this year, according to the compilers of the list, reaching £1.185bn.

David Austin Roses honours Sir David Beckham with a new English Rose (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)

That placed them second in the Sunday Times’ list of wealthiest sportspeople, behind the family of ex-Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone, whose wealth was placed at £2bn.

Former England captain Beckham is a co-owner of Inter Miami, estimated to be Major League Soccer’s most valuable club at 1.45bn US dollars (£1.07bn).

He has also made huge sums as a brand ambassador for companies like Adidas and Hugo Boss.

Victoria Beckham’s wealth has primarily been generated from the fashion label she set up in her name, having originally found fame and fortune as a member of the Spice Girls.

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While the Beckhams saw their wealth grow over the last 12 months, Ratcliffe, the co-owner of Beckham’s former club, has dropped down the overall Rich List from seventh to ninth.

His fortune shrank by £1.85bn, according to the list compilers, to £15.194bn.

The list compilers lowered the value of his petrochemicals company Ineos to £17bn owing to “rising debt, falling revenues and a loss of £515.7million”.

That was less of a drop compared to the year before, when the list compilers said his wealth plummeted by over £6bn.

Joining Beckham on the richest sportspeople list are promoters Barry and Eddie Hearn, whose combined wealth was estimated at £1.035bn.

Barry Hearn is the founder and president of Matchroom Sport, one of the leading promoters across boxing, darts and snooker.

His son Eddie is the chairman of Matchroom and is best known as the public face of its boxing division.

Eddie Hearn is the promoter of British heavyweight Anthony Joshua, who is eighth on the list with a fortune of £240m.

That places him above another heavyweight, Tyson Fury, who is ninth on £162m.

Hearn announced last month that Joshua had signed a deal to fight Fury, with no confirmed date or venue as yet.

Seven-time F1 champion Sir Lewis Hamilton is fifth on the list (£435m), while back-to-back Masters golf champion Rory McIlroy is seventh with £325m.

England football captain Harry Kane and two-time Wimbledon tennis champion Sir Andy Murray are joint 10th on £110m each.

Kyle Cox, of Harebell Road, Oxford, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday, May 14.

The 23-year-old was charged after a stabbing at Northfield Close, near the junction with Alice Smith Square in the Littlemore area of Oxford, at around midnight on Thursday, December 11 last year.

Cox pleaded guilty to wounding Zachary Stone and having a Samurai sword in a public place.

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Kyle Cox (Image: TVP)

The victim suffered serious injuries and was sent to hospital.

After the sentencing investigating officer detective sergeant Ben Heath said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack in which a man was stabbed with a samurai-style sword. The offender brought the weapon with him and clearly intended to use it.

“As a result, the victim suffered multiple serious injuries, many of which he will have to live with for the rest of his life.

“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence. Thames Valley Police take crimes involving weapons extremely seriously, and this outcome demonstrates our ongoing commitment to removing dangerous offenders and weapons from our streets to help keep our communities safe.”

Judge Ian Pringle KC said: “This was the use of a highly dangerous weapon.”

Cox was jailed for a total of six years.

He was given a restraining order against the victim until a further order is made.

An order was also made for the forfeiture of the Samurai sword.