The firefighter who died tackling a blaze at the former Jenners department store in Edinburgh has been given a guard of honour by his fellow officers ahead of his funeral today.
Barry Martin, 38, from Fife, died on January 27 after sustaining serious injuries while fighting the fire on Princes Street four days earlier. Powerful images from the capital show fire officers lining the route of his funeral cortege ahead of the service at St Giles' Cathedral, which was due to begin at 12.30pm.
Some stood with their hands clasped at their front, holding their headgear, while others stood with their hands behind their backs and their helmets laid at their feet; some could be seen wiping tears away as they gave their colleague a hero's farewell. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge bore wreaths for Mr Martin as they proceeded into the cathedral.
Mr Martin's coffin arrived on a turntable ladder fire engine from the McDonald Road Community Fire Station where he had served, draped in black. Members of the public bowed their heads respectfully as the casket was removed from the appliance by colleagues who guarded it on the cortege route.
The coffin, draped in a red sheet and adorned with a wreath and a firefighter's helmet, was then borne by colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service into St Giles' Cathedral. The service was to be led by Rev Calum I MacLeod, Minister of St. Giles’, with addresses from Mr Aldridge, SFRS interim chief officer Ross Haggart and Rev Gordon Armstrong, fire service chaplain.
Giving his address, the Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said the tributes left to Mr Martin by members of the public reflected "how deeply his passing has been felt both by people throughout the city and by his firefighter colleagues in Edinburgh and across Scotland".
Mr Aldridge said: "It is my great honour, on behalf of the city of Edinburgh and the City of Edinburgh Council, to offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of firefighter Barry Martin, who selflessly, heroically and bravely worked with his colleagues to keep us safe and very sadly lost his life in the line of duty. I know it was with profound shock the city learned of his tragic death.
"Many of you, like me, will have visited the site of the fire and read the many moving tributes to Barry Martin – each of them personal, each of them heartfelt. The tributes were sombre and respectful and reflect the quiet admiration and gratitude we feel for our firefighters who put their health and lives on the line to protect us day after day."
He added: "I know that his family will be hurting terribly at the loss of a husband, a father, a brother, a son. But I hope that in time they will gain some comfort from knowing the full extent of the admiration and respect and indded the pride the city feels for having had the privilege of being serve so well by Barry Martin.
"Firefighter Barry Martin: we salute you and thank you for giving your all in the service of the people of Edinburgh."
Addressing the service, interim chief officer Ross Haggart praised Mr Martin's "unwavering commitment, not only to his family but to his role as a firefighter." He told the packed cathedral how Shelley had spoken of his "exhilaration" to be a public servant, and said colleagues described him as "the epitome of what you would want in a colleague and a friend; hard-working and loyal; he always had your back."
Mr Haggart said: "Being there for people during their time of greatest need meant everything to him in his career. His colleagues say Barry was a family man, who always talked of his loved ones, who couldn't wait to get home to see them and tell them about his work.
"Reacting to his death, one colleague wrote on our memorial board: 'We didn't know each other but you have been on my mind since that tragic day.' I think that person spoke for all who didn't get the opportunity to meet Barry in person during his career with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
"Barry's selfless duty will never be forgotten. We will ensure his memory continues to live on. Thank you, Barry, for your service and the tragic sacrifice you made in bravely responding to help your community."
Looking to the coffin, he concluded: "Rest in peace."
Mr Martin's casket was then borne out of the cathedral, accompanied by the lament of a lone bagpiper, for a private service. His colleagues bowed their heads in respect as he was carried to a silver hearse, which carried a floral tribute reading: "Daddy."
In a tribute released by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service ahead of Friday's funeral, Mr Martin's wife Shelley paid tribute to him as a "motivated" man who was "driven" to protect the public in his role as a firefighter. He had been a father of two, to eight-year-old twins Oliver and Daniel.
Mrs Martin said: "Barry was motivated, proud, and driven to be the best he could be, for himself, for his family, for his colleagues, and for the community and wider public. Being there for people, during their time of greatest need, meant everything to him in his career.
"Our sons could not have wished for a more loving and attentive father. He was a busy dad, transporting our sons to their various activities, and being there for them.
"I felt utterly privileged to be his wife throughout our life together and always will. Our love, admiration and respect for him, will last forever.”
Mr Martin, who joined the SFRS in January 2020, was the first Scottish firefighter to die line of duty since Ewan Williamson, who died after sustaining injuries tackling a blaze in Edinburgh in 2009. Fire stations across the country fell silent earlier this week to pay their respects, and several posted tributes on social media and flew flags at half mast on Friday in tribute to the fallen public servant.
The McDonald Road Community Fire Station in the capital is part of the Blue Watch. Other Blue Watch stations in Edinburgh have been stood down to allow staff to attend Friday's service.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: “Our hearts go out to Barry’s family, colleagues and friends, and to all those who mourn his loss. Barry was a dedicated firefighter and a well-loved member of the firefighting community. We are very proud that he was a member of our union.
“Like so many firefighters, he put himself at risk to save the lives of others. In due course, we will investigate the events that led to his death. Today, we are grieving for a colleague and a friend.”
MSPs, including Alex Cole-Hamilton, 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. An investigation into the Jenners blaze, conducted by Police Scotland and the SFRS, is ongoing.
Plans are already in motion to place a memorial to the firefighter somewhere in the refurbished Jenners building, which is part-way through being brought back into use as a hotel after closing in 2021. Anders Krogh Vogdrup, the Danish billionaire behind the renewal project, attended the funeral and described the service as "very moving".
He told the BBC: "Our heartfelt thoughts and deepest sympathy are with his family at this difficult time. Barry Martin lost his life protecting the lives of others, and he will always be remembered for his bravery and act of heroism.
"Currently, we are looking into how we can honour his memory in the Jenners building."
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