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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Laura Paterson & John-Paul Clark

Firefighters across UK hold one-minute silence for Scot Barry Martin who died after Jenners blaze

Firefighters across the UK held a minute's silence in memory of a colleague who died while fighting a fire at Edinburgh's historic Jenners building.

Barry Martin, 38, from Fife, was critically injured while battling flames at the former department store on January 23, and died four days later.

He is the first Scottish firefighter to die in the line of duty since Ewan Williamson, who died after being injured in Edinburgh in 2009.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) tweeted on Monday: "Today we joined together to observe a minute's silence to remember our friend and colleague, Firefighter Barry Martin.

"Barry died on Friday January 27 following the injuries he sustained during a large-scale fire in Edinburgh earlier that week.

Firefighters across the UK held a minute's silence to mark Barry Martin's funeral. (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)

"We thank our staff and colleagues from other UK fire and rescue services who joined us in marking this poignant moment today.

"On Friday, hundreds of firefighters will join Barry's family and friends in paying tribute at his funeral service at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh."

The funeral cortege will make its way from the foot of the Royal Mile, arriving at the cathedral at 12.30pm when the service, by invitation, will begin, the SFRS said.

Firefighters across the UK paid respect after Barry's funeral service at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh. (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)
Barry Martin, 38, from Fife, was critically injured in the blaze. (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service)

It will be followed by a private committal.

MSPs have called for Mr Martin to be posthumously awarded the George Cross, an accolade which dates back to 1940 and recognises acts of extreme bravery carried out by civilians.

Speaking on Twitter, the London Fire Brigade said: "This morning, we joined fire and rescue services across the UK to pause for a minute of silence in memory of Firefighter Barry Martin who sadly died tackling a fire in Edinburgh.

"Our thoughts remain with Barry’s family, friends and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service colleagues."

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