Firefighter Barry Martin, who has died following the blaze at Jenners department store in Edinburgh
(Picture: Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)A firefighter who was critically ill in hospital following a fire at the former Jenners department store in Edinburgh has died.
Police Scotland said Barry Martin, 38, died on Friday at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
Emergency serviceswere called to the former department store, in the Scottish capital's Princes Street, on Monday morning.
Mr Martin was one of five firefighters taken to hospital. A police officer was also treated by medics in hospital.
Ross Haggart, interim chief officer at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said on Friday evening: “It is with profound sadness that I confirm, on behalf of his family, that Barry Martin has passed away this afternoon following the serious injuries he sustained following a large-scale fire at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh.
With profound sadness we can confirm that Firefighter Barry Martin has passed away following the serious injuries sustained during a large fire at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh.
— Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (@fire_scot) January 27, 2023
Interim Chief Officer Ross Haggart has issued this statement: https://t.co/lzsWyjwvk9 pic.twitter.com/hjbIvdFie2
“Barry, who was being treated at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, had been in a critical condition since Monday’s fire.
“I speak for the entire service when I say that we are all devastated by the loss of Barry, and our thoughts remains with his family, friends and colleagues at this deeply distressing time.
“Both Barry’s family and the service have been overwhelmed with the messgages of support we have received, and we thank everyone for the time they have taken to share these.
“Barry’s family would also like to thank all the medical staff who have cared for him.
“I would now ask that we all allow Barry’s family, friends and colleagues to grieve in private.”
Superintendent David Robertson, from Police Scotland, said: “Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Barry at this very difficult time.
“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
Other fire brigades have paid their respects to Mr Martin, with London Fire Brigade’s Greenwich station paying tribute on Twitter to his “bravery and professionalism”, saying it “will never be forgotten”.
Emergency services shut roads around the former Jenners building during Monday’s blaze, as flames were seen issuing from the ground floor.
Founded in 1838, the department store was one of the oldest in the world when it closed in 2021.
The A-listed current building dates to 1895, after a fire destroyed the original.
Renovations are ongoing to transform it into a hotel, backed by a firm owned by fashion billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen.
