Dave Chester’s family has remembered the 57-year-old business owner who tried to help firefighters during the Bicester Motion blaze as a ‘hero’ who ‘died the way he lived’
A family has paid tribute to an “amazing” and “quirky” dad who died while trying to help firefighters tame a deadly blaze that has left a town in mourning.
Dave Chester, 57, was one of three people who died after a fire broke out at the Bicester Motion business park last week, with the furious inferno also claiming the lives of two firefighters, Jennie Logan, 30, and Martyn Sadler, 38. The business owner, who ran Chesters & Sons, had set up at the estate 12 years ago and has been remembered by other locals as “part of the fabric of our estate and a friend to us all”. His family has now released their own tribute to the much-loved dad.
READ MORE: Pictured: hero firefighters killed in Bicester Motion fire as tributes flood in
Speaking via Thames Valley Police, Mr Chester’s family said he was the “most amazing man we will ever know”, adding he was “known by almost everyone”.
The tribute reads: “Dave was the most amazing man we will ever know, we love and miss him so much. He was a loving and caring father, husband, son and brother. He was Bicester born and bred and known by almost everyone. Once you met Dave, you never forgot him or his quirky sense of humour.
“You won’t find anyone who worked harder than he did, he built an incredible business from the ground up alongside the help of his family and friends.”
The family went on to add that the selfless dad had tried to pitch in when the fire broke out on Thursday evening, stating he offered his assistance “without hesitation” after 10 crews were sent to the scene. The tribute continued: “Dave was always known as the man you went to when you needed any sort of help.
“This is exactly what happened on Thursday evening, he saw firefighters needing assistance and helped without hesitation. He was not a victim but a hero, he died the way he lived – helping others and putting them ahead of himself.”
“Although he is no longer with us he will always be in our hearts and his legacy will continue.” Tributes have also poured forth for Mr Sadler and Ms Logan, with one friend, fire officer Michael Brooker remembering Ealing blue watch member Mr Sadler as a man with a “big beaming smile”.
Ms Logan was remembered by her friend Stuart Smith as a “lovely person with no ego, wanting to help people”. He added that, “most of all” she was “one of my best friends and like a sister to me”, adding: “I will miss her so much”.