The Lord Advocate has met with the widow of a firefighter who died in the 2023 Jenners blaze, acknowledging her frustrations as investigations continue more than three years on. Barry Martin, 38, died on January 27 2023 after being critically injured while fighting a fire at the former Jenners department store in Edinburgh.
Shelley Martin has previously criticised the “unacceptable” delays in inquiries into her husband’s death. Following a meeting in Glasgow on Thursday, Lord Advocate Dorothy Bain KC said the Crown Office expects to receive a report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) soon, which must be considered before any decisions on potential criminality can be made.
In a statement, the Lord Advocate said: “I met with Shelley Martin today to update her personally on the work ongoing by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and our partners. I recognise the deep loss and enduring pain caused to Shelley and her family, and the frustrations felt as the investigations continue.” She added that the Crown “shortly expects to receive a report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service”.
Shelley Martin’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said after the meeting that the Lord Advocate advised that delays are due to the SFRS, which has a statutory duty to investigate fires but has taken years to deliver reports. He stated that the SFRS report is expected in mid-April. Deputy Chief Officer Andrew Watt of SFRS said their thoughts remain with the family and that they continue to co-operate fully with investigators, but declined further comment while legal processes are active.
