Scottish Fire Service Formally Named as Suspect in Fatal Jenners Blaze Investigation
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has received official notification that it is considered a suspect as part of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service's comprehensive investigation into the tragic death of firefighter Barry Martin during the devastating 2023 Jenners department store blaze in Edinburgh. This significant development comes exactly three years after the fatal incident that claimed the life of the 38-year-old newly qualified firefighter.
Widow's Meeting with Lord Advocate Reveals Critical Details
Shelley Martin, the 39-year-old widow of firefighter Barry Martin, met personally with Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC in Glasgow on Thursday, where she received crucial updates about the ongoing investigation. During this emotional meeting, Mrs. Martin learned that delays in reaching a decision about potential criminal charges are directly attributed to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's pending report.
The central issue under investigation is whether the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, along with other parties, bears criminal responsibility for the circumstances that led to Mr. Martin's death. According to family solicitor Aamer Anwar, who accompanied Mrs. Martin, the widow expressed deep gratitude for the Lord Advocate's candor, compassion, and support during this difficult process.
Critical Report Pending from Fire Service
The investigation has reached a critical juncture where the Crown Office requires the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service's comprehensive report before making any final determinations about criminal prosecutions. Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC has confirmed that the fire service has been formally notified of its suspect status and must cooperate fully with the investigation.
The chief fire officer has received written communication from the Lord Advocate's office indicating that the report is expected to be available by mid-April. Dorothy Bain KC has made it clear that if the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fails to deliver the report as promised, she will demand an immediate meeting with Scotland's chief fire officer to demand a full explanation for the delay.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Barry Martin, a father of twin sons Oliver and Daniel, died in hospital four days after suffering critical injuries during the Jenners blaze on January 23, 2023. According to information presented during the investigation:
- Mr. Martin was deployed as part of a four-person breathing apparatus team
- He was the least experienced firefighter present at the scene
- Within just six minutes of entering the building, he fell down a flight of stairs
- He suffered a catastrophic loss of air after his equipment was damaged
- The injuries included severe burns and hypoxic injuries
Multiple Investigations and Legal Actions
The Jenners fire remains subject to an active investigation led by Police Scotland and overseen by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. In December 2025, civil action was raised at the Court of Session against both the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Chamic Industrial Services, the firm responsible for carrying out work at the Jenners building when Mr. Martin died. Notably, Chamic Industrial Services entered liquidation in the same month.
Deputy Chief Officer Andrew Watt of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service stated: "Our thoughts remain firmly with firefighter Martin's family and all of those affected by the tragic incident which took place at the former Jenners building in 2023. We continue to cooperate fully with all external investigators and have maintained clear communication regarding investigation timescales and any requests for information."
Expert Involvement and Investigation Complexity
The Crown Office has engaged the United Kingdom's top fire investigation experts, including those who provided crucial evidence during the Grenfell Tower inquiry, to examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Martin's death. These experts have been specifically instructed by the Crown to help establish cause and effect relationships in this complex case.
A spokesperson for Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC emphasized: "This work, which seeks to establish the full facts of his death and to consider the question of criminality and issues of safety, is complex and detailed. The Crown can reach a decision only when all relevant information, reports, expert opinions, and evidence are fully available."
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service has committed to providing regular updates to the Martin family as the investigation progresses, with another meeting scheduled in the near future to keep them informed about developments in this heartbreaking case that continues to resonate throughout Scotland's emergency services community.
