The Bradford City Stadium Fire Disaster

The 11th of May 1985 was supposed to the a day of celebration for the Bradford City for Pole Club as it marked the English teams triumph for as win as the third division trophy. Instead it is a day that is now remembered by the citizens of the town as one of horror as 54 of the team supporters and two fans of the visiting Lincoln City side were killed as fire sweat to the Valley Parade Football Stadium. Another 450 were injured half of them requiring hospital treatment many of the others were helped by members of the local British Asian Community who immediately opened up their homes around the ground and rushed to help.

Knowing that their team had already won the third division championship Bradford Cities fans have turned out in great numbers for the match the 11,076 strong crowd was doubly average attendance for the season. The fire started 40 minutes into the match with the score standing at no-no. A pile rubbish beat the stand just accidentally ignited by discarded cigarette and the fire took out rapidly with spectators being moved on to the playing field to escape the flames. Those at the rear of the 77 year old wouldn’t stand however, were trap by inward opening exit doors and lock turns tiles and were quickly overcome by the toxic smoke. The number of deaths would have been greater if it haven’t been for the actions who would obvious slate the fire. 28 police officers and 22 supporters were publicly recognized just having saved at least one life and later received bravery awards. And inquiring into the fire also let to new laws to improve safety at UK for all grounds. There was a banned on the building of wooden grandstand and the valley create the stadium of today is very different to one at 1985.

With only the clubhouse and one flank support will—structure and mainly. And every year at the 11th, at 11th day of May a memorial service is held by the City Hall followed by a minute of silence remember those who lost their lives.


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