Press Releases

PRESS RELEASE : FBU responds to the death of Firefighter Barry Martin [January 2023]

The press release issued by the Fire Brigades Union on 27 January 2023.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has now confirmed that Firefighter Barry Martin has passed away following serious injuries sustained at a fire in the Jenners Building in Edinburgh on Monday 23rd January.

Responding to this news, Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said: 

Everyone in the Scottish and UK Fire and Rescue Service will be devastated by today’s events. 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.”