Floral tributes have appeared outside the department store where a firefighter was fatally injured fighting an inferno earlier this week. Members of the public have left flowers for 38-year-old Barry Martin, who died earlier on Friday.
Barry was one of more than 100 firefighters sent to the scene of a fire at the former Jenners building in Edinburgh but incurred serious injuries as he tackled the blaze on Monday, January 23. . He was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but tragically died, despite the best efforts of medics.
A Police Scotland probe into the cause of the fire remains ongoing. Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh Western MSP, has led calls for the firefighter to be awarded a posthumous George Cross, the highest non-military award for gallantry available.
The Scottish Lib Dem leader said tonight: "This is devastating news, thinking tonight of all those who knew and loved Barry. When we run from danger, these guys run towards it. Barry did one of the most dangerous jobs there is.
"He put his life on the line for his colleagues and our city and paid the ultimate price for so doing.vHis family are in our thoughts tonight. He deserves the highest civilian honour there is. He should be awarded the George Cross."
Flowers had been left outside the Jenners building on Friday evening, with some bouquets stuffed in the fence that now surrounds the building, and others laid at the front of the Princes Street landmark. Barry is the first Scottish firefighter to die on duty since 2009.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described his death in the line of duty as “dreadfully sad news”. She added: “This is a terrible tragedy for all who loved him – but also a reminder of the selfless courage our firefighters demonstrate in the line of duty each and every day."
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, hailed Barry as a “dedicated firefighter and a well-loved member of the firefighting community”. “Like so many firefighters, he put himself at risk to save the lives of others,” he said.
Elena Whitham, minister for community safety, said Scotland was “lucky to have our valued firefighters who every day put their personal safety at risk to protect our communities and save the lives of others” and hailed Barry as a “brave and courageous firefighter”.
Ross Haggart, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s interim chief officer, said he and his colleagues were “devastated” at Barry's death. He said: “I speak for the entire service when I say that we are all devastated by the loss of Barry and our thoughts remain with his family, friends and colleagues at this deeply distressing time.
"Both Barry’s family and the service have been overwhelmed with the messages 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."
In all, six emergency workers were taken to hospital during the response to the fire. Two firefighters were treated for burns, and a police officer and two firefighters for smoke inhalation; all have since been discharged.
Superintendent David Robertson of Police Scotland said: “Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of Barry at this very difficult time. Our inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
Jenners closed as a department store in 2021. The building was being converted into a hotel under plans backed by fashion billionaire Anders Holch Povlsen.
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