He may have started the fire, but the awful condition of the stand caused the deaths. A properly maintained stand, cleared of tens of years of rubbish, would not have burned down.
If you have a smoldering butt and a stand that goes up in flames in an inferno in 4 minutes I can tell you it was not the fault of the guy with a smouldering butt.
It was the fault of the owners of the stadium for the poor upkeep and design of the stands. A year before a report was made about the poor conditions and even stated the fact that all of the trash under stand was a fire hazard. Simply cleaning up the trash would have prevented the fire from happening. And not having fire extinguishers was also neglect by the owners.
I'm American but my husband is English. He has a friend who was there that day. The friend was a policeman on duty. He ended up getting severely burned. Just like that gentleman (Mr. Leesing?) described, his police coat melted as he was trying to help victims. Oh my gosh, I cannot believe the owners weren't prosecuted. I'm glad the families were able to sue and get some money, but wow. I just can't believe there were never any criminal charges filed. "A different time", indeed! I remember reading about the fire. The author said that investigators found newspapers in the rubble that dated back to pre-decimal days. I asked my husband what that meant and he explained about the modern currency coming in during the early 70's. So that wooden stadium had rubbish under it dating back to the 1960's or even earlier! Unbelievable.
policemen examining the debris came across a copy of the Bradford Telegraph and Argus dated Monday 4 November 1968, as well as a bag of peanuts costing six old pennies (decimalisation had been introduced in 1971). one of those fact stranger than fiction moments when you realise a flammable football stand accomodating thousands of people hadnt been cleaned properly in probably at least seventeen years .
There's no way anyone could own a sports stadium and *not* know there were years of dry rubbish under the wooden stands. Not even if they'd only owned the stadium for two years. The owners clearly don't feel responsible, nor were they held responsible. Shocking and disgraceful, imo. And this is the owner who didn't have 7 previous business fires behind him! No, it wasn't arson -- but that doesn't mean Higgenbottom is not responsible for safety at his stadium. The police and fire services should have seen and thus considered the hazard -- at least have been prepared, with hoses ready nearby, in case fire broke out. They would know from training and experience that it could become an inferno in minutes. That was also gross negligence, imo, but at least it wasn't just to save money. Tragedies like this are why safety rules have become so much more strict since the 80s. It takes a lot of spontaneous joys out of life (including making everything much more expensive) but it seems to be necessary, because too many people won't step up to their responsibilities unless they're forced. Very sad, RIP innocent souls.
Bad housekeeping is a major cause of fires and completely unnecessary. Anyone with a scrap of common sense would have seen the risks associated with 2 feet of rubbish below a wooden structure with gaps that allowed it to accumulate allowing a cigarette to fall through and ignite it. I suspect that lazy staff simply swept rubbish through the gaps over many years. It was unforgivable and both the owners and maintenance engineers should have been prosecuted for criminal negligence. In addition to the fire risk, tho rubbish would have been infested with vermin, producing a major health hazard. Sadly. although we are awash with rules and legislation over recent years. keeping buildings free from a build up of rubbish is still often overlooked.
Waiting on standby with water hoses is not a logical solution. Closing the stands off to the public until the football club gets their sh*t together and cleans up the trash and clears the escape routes is what should've happened. Luckly, that's how it is today.
Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing. We can be grateful people learned from this experience, as usually it takes a mistake to occur for people to truly switch on. That being said, RIP to the 56
@@moraymac2922I could well believe that, I live in Liskeard Cornwall, they run the plod ( I know, much harassment for years & stitched up ) & the Council, amongst other things & can stop you working ! I despise them !!
Two years later the King's Cross fire happened under the same circumstance: discarded match/cigarette. Both fires were fueled by extremely flammable materials underneath the floor/escalator which helped spread the flames. It's quite an eerie coincidence.
I was just thinking the same thing. Eerily similar in many ways. I think in both cases, people saw what they thought was a very small litter fire, and didn't take it seriously enough. It was very common on the underground at the time for such small fires to break out on escalators, but this one was different. When the fire brigade arrived, they instantly realised it was actually just the visible part of a huge blaze under the treads, and called for 10 appliances, which surprised the LT staff. Had they realised what they were dealing with sooner, there probably wouldn't have been any fatalities. I think Bradford was similar - by the time smoke appeared above the platforms, the fire was already well developed underneath, and had probably been burning for quite a while. They lost precious minutes watching the smoke.
everyone remembers hillborough , and rightly so . it should never be forgotten . but please remember valley parade . 90% of the youth have never heard about the disaster . i still get upset now watching it .
I was 22 when this happened , I wasn’t at the match, but at the motorbike shop opposite the ground , when we came out the shop ,noticed fire engine , and smoke , I turned to my friends and said , i knew that was going to happen , telling them a couple of weeks earlier I was at the ground to watch Leeds play Bradford , where we sat in the stand that caught fire, I remember telling my mates ,have you seen all this rubbish under the seats , it’s lethal and what a fire risk , and a danger to life. Not many years later I became a fireman for North Yorkshire fire and Rescue ,it had a lasting effect on me
As a fireman, your thoughts on one man owning 8 businesses experiencing fires? He ultimately made money from as a result, never truly investigated probably until he passes himself imo? Also what sort of combustible material i.e trash would set a fire up so quick, 4 minutes? I suspect an additional one was added. Stay safe out there, get home safe the world needs its hero's, I don't need to tell you life is cheap to some people. Buildings being literally covered with cheap combustible material, its insanity. Conveniently after they remove gas from high rise blocks off flats.
@@Tom-qb1rjThey didn't listen to the fire dept warnings, what makes you think some random 22 year old lad would have done better? Silly statement, shame on you.
Joe A. The reason why the exit at the back were locked was so people couldn’t sneak in with out paying but it’s not like that now obviously they leaned from the mistakes
There was also the Clapham rail crash, and of course the Heysel tragedy. Yes it does seem like the 80's saw it all. As a footballing decade it was dire. English football was at an all time low. The stadiums were cramped, archaic and so it was only a matter of time before disasters would happen.
I am a blackpool fan and I remember this so putting rivalry to one side I stood on the billboards across from bloom field rs when south stand was getting built.they were a good bunch we have one thing in common " hate leeds scum"
Disasters happen all the time, always have always will. The best we can do is learn from each one and move forward. Yes, the 1980s were the worst decade for plane crashes (1985 in particular) and a terrible decade for English football fans.
That gentleman may have accidentally been the catalyst, but the CAUSE was decades of people throwing down trash and NO ONE picking it up. Let the blame lie where it should: with the club and the grounds managers. Maybe they couldn't build a brand new stadium because of money, but they damned sure could have picked up the trash!
My grandad was at this match and because of the fire he rushed home early and my grandma wondered why he had arrived back early and all he said was turn in the tv and I know realised that I nearly never knew my grandad and I cherish him being around 👼
I remember coming home from a mini football tournament at school and my parents watching this on the news. I was 12 years old when this happened and seeing the flames rip through the stand and the image of the policeman's hair on fire as he was running from the burning stand are images that'll stay with me for a long time. R.I.P. too all of the 56 football fans who tragically lost their lives.
OMG that's like your 9/11. Anytime you see something like that in "real time" as a kid, even on the telly, it stays with you for life. Actually mine was Lady Di, and then of course 9/11
@@GlennDavey Yeah. I was too young to remember this, but I *do* remember watching the fall of the Berlin Wall. I don't recall seeing the Hillsborough disaster that same year, oddly, which you'd think I'd remember as well.
@@lucylerma8211 also known as a "leg up" (i think) where I'm from. Someone places their hands or arms under a foot to help give lift to get over a wall or obstacle. They push you up a little.
@@johnnyfartpants4801 Also in regards to the fire at King's Cross Station; the London Underground staff had used copious amounts of varnish on the wooden escalators and equally copious amounts of paint on the walls of the ticket hall. After these tragedies; the obvious question is what can be done to prevent it from occurring again in the future. The same question can be asked after the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris last spring. My solution to prevent a recurrence of the Notre Dame fire would be to install a fire sprinkler system. An easy way to avoid disrupting the interior aesthetics of Notre Dame Cathedral with a fire sprinkler system is to design the sprinkler heads to look like the heads of gargoyles. An additional fire prevention method would be to have fire extinguishers placed throughout the church. In regards to the question of how the sprinkler system would have an adequate water supply; the water supply for the sprinklers would be provided by the waters of the Seine River because of the fact that Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité, which would provide the fire sprinklers with an endless supply of water and give the members of the Notre Dame clergy and congregation peace of mind.
I dont think he started it , but he was quite probably waiting for it to happen ie not removing the rubbish that had accumulated under the stand as was mentioned in the early part of the video that they where going to replace the roof of the stand , a nice insurance pay out could of been a possibly way of getting it funded ?????
I remember this as if it was yesterday. I was 14 yrs of age. Stood at the top of a hill, saw the flicker, then wept in horror....RIP 56 football fans...x
Yeah there have definitely been historical prosecutions of negligent building owners, and likewise there have been no prosecutions of modern disasters. That man was talking some A-grade agenda-pushing corrupt nonsense for camera.
For those wondering why the fire service only wrote advisory letters in the years before the fire, it's because they had no jurisdiction over the ground. The Fire Precautions Act 1971 would only have covered the admin offices and the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 (a reaction to the 1971 Ibrox "Staircase 13" disaster) wasn't specifically a fire safety law and was administered by the local council (the fire service being an 'interested party' but no more than that). The Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987, brought in after Bradford amended both the Fire Precautions Act and Safety of Sports Grounds Acts to bring stadia under proper fire safety legislation. Sheffield United still had a wooden stand when I started going there as a first aider, but as a result of the change in law was no smoking, had every exit manned by a steward and was littered with loads of extinguishers and dedicated fire stewards - if this had been in place at Bradford things would have been different. ~Unfortunately, with the exception of the most recent fire safety legislation (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) UK fire legislation has been 'tombstone' legislation requiring a major disaster to kick start it: Eastwood Mill Fire = Factories Act 1961 Fire Certificate requirements; Hendersons Department Store Fire = Offices, Shops & Railways Premises Act 1963 Means of Escape Certificate requirements; Rose & Crown Hotel Fire = Fire Precautions Act 1971; Bradford Fire = Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987; Kings Cross Fire = Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) Regulations 1989
Thank you so much for this breakdown of the fire laws in the UK! I’m kind of horrified they allowed the wooden stand at Bramall Lane to carry on being used, but I guess football clubs make the excuse that it will be safe with extra measures (fire watching staff etc) until they can afford to change things. Thankfully Bramall Lane is a beautiful (and safe) ground now (even if I don’t particularly like the team that plays there 😂).
Merle, that is true. Here in Pennsylvania USA, there was a deadly fire in 1908 in the Rhoads Opera House in Boyertown borough. It cost 171 lives because the doors to the third-story room where plays took place opened INWARD. Once a kerosene lantern used for lighting sparked the blaze, people panicked and were trapped against the doors. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhoads_Opera_House_fire
MerleOberon it's very fortunate that there was no caging along the pitch side of the stand, like at Hillsborough. It could of Been thousands. Literally. I cry for them.
So we been promoted. The materials were in the carpark to rebuild with no money to do it . Faced with not being able repay debts if spectators wouldnt be allowed in ... Stafford did it . No wonder he died so quickly . Stafford was a murderer!!!
We had a similar thing happen here in the US called The Station nightclub fire which killed 100 people, that too was the result of poor planning and people in charge living in denial of the potential danger.
The Station was many reasons. Mainly 2 brothers that were money hungry soulless vile human beings. Also a mention, an ignorant person taking a video instead of helping people get out quicker. So many reasons. Rip to all out brothers and sisters that we lost there.
Nicole M Out of all damn people, you put blame on Brian Butler? Not everyone is a damn selfless hero. There was nothing you could do for those trapped in the pileup/crowd crush. With those situations, the only way you start to remove people efficiently is starting from the top, but the fire was spreading rapidly and the smoke was even worse. And once people at the top were removed there's a good chance of more people crawling forward. And you think that the person you grab the hand of will be the only one? Everyone will latch on for their lives, and wouldn't you know it, then you're stuck as the fire gets closer and closer! Most of those who went back in to save lives, too, ended up not coming back out. While i do think he could've vocally warned people when he first noticed as he was one of the first ones, it's a human mistake under adrenaline and shock to save your own skin. You're asking for that cameraman to have died.
tyranny No no. I blame the brothers, that's where my blame lies. Im just angry with Brian. When i heard him talk, i kinda felt his pain. I don't blame him for "everything" from what you are saying. I know his video has helped with justice but it's all fucked, that whole situation.
never forget watching this on TV I was only ten absolutely horrorfying the same day a young lad was killed as Leeds and Birmingham fans rioted and a few weeks later the heysel disaster happened very very dark days for football 😔 RIP Bradford 56 YNWA
I remember this well, even though I am from the US, Texas. This event was big news across the pond as well. God Bless all those souls, and everyone who was touched by this awful tragedy.
Also, I am a retired firefighter, over 28 years service. I used this tragedy when I taught classes to my fellow firefighters on various aspects of fire prevention. So, in that respect, I hope some good came out of this fire. I did my part to ensure that these lives were not lost in vain, and that some small measure of good could come from it. I'm not looking for a "pat on the back", just saying this in the hopes that it might provide some small measure of comfort to those who lost loved ones, and to the survivors. Once again, God Bless them all.
PoppaBlue59 Kent I live in Bradford and I see the stadium often. I don't ever want to go in there because I'm terrified of it. I've never been in it either.
@ 10.05 mins. Guy states the gap between the wooden slats and the floor was 'about' two feet. I can remember it being a lot more than that. The amount of debris underneath the stand was huge. It was tinder dry, as the roof protected it. The signs were there, long before that terrible day. When city scored you literally used to have to hold on for dear life as the boards would 'bounce' up and down. It.
I was 4 years old that day and remember hearing the news or rather seeing pics on the news that night of the fire I said to my dad is that a fireworks display soo young did understand.
I was in Australia at the time and remember watching on the news at the shocking scenes but I have never understood the mentality of a lot of fan's on the pitch who were jumping up and down cheering and thought it was funny, I hope those fan's were able to see themselves on the newsreel afterwards and now feel ashamed and how stupid they were. Smoking in old wooden stands was banned in Australia because of what happened at Bradford City.
I know what you mean but I think that those people didn't realise that people had died at that time. Even the players and other people in the club thought that everyone had got out of the stand and that nobody was killed.
The nadir. This and Heysel were the lowest point in English football history. By the time of Hillsborough, things had already started to turn for the better albeit very slowly.
Imagine if the fans in Valley Parade had been caged in like those at Hillsborough - no access onto the pitch? Makes me shudder! The death toll would have been unthinkable!
alot of knackard foot ball stands around by the 1980s. thay were all decades old wore out falling apart rotten bady designed things. so many clubs were bank rupt or skint around this time aswell. 1980s was full of things like this happending all mostly from old knackared buildings or oil rigs like the piper alfa desaster. all from years of neglect and lack of investment. was the hang over from the 1970s depression alot of it.
Lazy, scruffy club letting all that rubbish build up. Surely it was common sense that cigarettes will fall into the stand? Tragic for those families. The arrogance and ignorance of those owners, murderers.
I remember going watching Oldham play in the late 70s through the 1980s and the chaddy end. Had wooden stand and half a ton of trash under the floors tinderbox just needed dry summer and a match or a stray smoke 🔥🔥🔥🔥😬
Just came off one and we were shown the same one. Flash to Bang in under 5minutes. Told this to my Son as a way to highlight when we ask him to do something when we are out he needs to pay attention. No one at that match thought anything bad would happen. Sadly that day 56 people never made it home.
Remember the day well , as it was my birthday . I was at St Andrews watching Birmingham play Leeds , when the news came through of this awful tragedy . Of course with all the problems at our game with the fighting fans . It barely registered with us . But later when the enormity of what happened at Bradford sank in . It just totally froze & upset me . To think of all those poor people had died . Needless to say I did not enjoy my birthday at all . Even now thinking or being reminded of that day . Chills me to the bone .feel so sorry for the gentleman who lost his gran . Devastating .
How sad!! I survived a fire my self I feel the pain of all who suffered! I have to ask what about fire suppression system? Perhaps I am wrong I did not see a fire extinguisher!
+Jonathan Kovacs If I recall correctly, they didn't have them out for fear that they'd be used as a weapon. You have to remember that this was at the height of the 'football hooligans' problem where riots and fan violence caused many injuries and sometimes deaths. The last thing they wanted was people using a fire extinguisher as a weapon in something like that. Unfortunately, it meant that nothing was to hand when an actual fire broke out. It was just so awful.
I witnessed this when I eleven. The tears today are worse because I see people who tried in a hopeless situation. The police should be given a bit of respect for that day.
As a supporter (lover) of Glasgow Celtic my thought and prayers are with the loved ones of the poor people lost in this tragedy 🙏🏻 I would feel the same if this happened to Glasgow Rangers fans, OBVIOUSLY!! Sadly I KNOW some (thankfully a minority) rangers fans wouldn't care too much if this happened to Celtic fans but that is the way these people are brought up, or should I say dragged up?!?! These people are scum of the earth & I say this from personal experience .... To call these bastards "animals" would be an insult to the animal kingdom . Got Bless all those killed, injured & effected by this human tragedy of 1985 🙏🏻🇮🇪✊🏻🇮🇪🙏🏻
I was 15 years old in 1985 and I was not fully aware of all the facts surrounding this disaster until i got the internet, I regularly pray for the 56 and I cry now and again as I watch remembrance videos
You never saw the tinder dry rubbish that lay beneath the seats, and tarred roof at the back of the stand stand, plus all the vents in the old woodwork . Nothing better for a funeral pire
I remember that day, we had live updates from BBC's Grandstand, is was tragic ... We should never forget all of those 56 people who went to a football match and lost there lives. Given what is in this documentary (and it was known then) The Football League, the Bradford City's Board, the Local Authority, Fire and Police knew of its Health and Safety INADEQUACY'S ... They have the RESPECTABILITY .... I do not know how they can Live with Themselves.
I've never been a fan of football if I'm honest (I detest it, especially now that I reluctantly live within a few hundred yards of a major [new] football stadium) but what happened at Bradford City was a genuine tragedy and I truly sympathise with all those who were affected by it. I was just beginning secondary school at the time of the fire and distinctly remember it in the news; it was heartbreaking. RIP to all those who perished while watching their favourite game. Peace.
I think everybody in Bradford will remember what they were doing on that day (me included). A lad I went to school with was one of the 56 who perished that day. His sister and dad perished as well. A neighbour was at the match with his dad and had been sitting in G block where the fire started. They were in the clubhouse when the fire started so they had a lucky escape. I remember seeing one of those pictures the off-duty copper took being published in The Times. I also remember the investigation finding rubbish dating back to the 1960s that had accumulated under the floorboards of the stand so this was an accident waiting to happen.
I went to a league cup match against Manchester United in 1982 looking for my seat a steward said sorry mate that seat doesn’t exist anymore the state of football in those days the back of the stand was dark and what it was like that terrible day I just can’t imagine. I went to the match against Leyton Orient last season it was the nearest match to the anniversary very moving rest in peace all
Those poor people going to a football match and not coming home and indeed the survivors. They have to live with the terrifying memories. I'm 99.9% confident now that it would never happen again, due to safeguarding. Which wasn't really present back then.
8 previous fires in 14 years ? Known fire hazard under a timber stand and nothing done about it ? Planning to put a new roof on that stand (a nice fire claim could of paid for that ) ????? Very coincidental that the alleged person that dropped the burning cigarette was over here on holiday and took months to find him (was he ever made public) ???? RIP to the 56 and their families
You think he would start the fire in the middle of a live televised game with thousands of people in the stand for an insurance claim?!?!?? Jesus some people are just conspiracy addicts.
I think it's often complacency, in many areas and with many people, not just the owners chaining fire escapes shut but people like the gentleman refusing to move until he got his change, people often don't take fire seriously enough whether that be from a building management standpoint and fire safety procedures, or members of the public reacting to fire. As a fire warden I've seen my manager have coffee thrown on her when she told people they had to leave during a fire evacuation, I've been sworn at for asking someone to move an item that they'd placed in front of a fire evacuation door, and I've had to report multiple colleagues for propping open fire doors that would slow down the spread of flame and smoke and give people more time to evacuate. People never think it's going to happen to them and fire safety gets lax until a disaster, but every time there is an incident it's only a matter of time before people get lazy again. Problems found don't get followed up and serious issues get put on the "we'll do it next year" cycle permanently. Grenfell was another example of inadequate fire escapes, condemned extinguisihers, and poor material choice.
I first saw the footage at my fire marshals fire door inspectors course. It was shocking how quick that fire started to spread. but then looking at the details like wooden decking, all that rubbish underneath like tickets programs sweet rappers, it's a miracle it never happened sooner in a larger scale. Imagine they had the fences up or it was during the 40 or 50s when they would pack people in.
Sometimes, when a disaster like this happens, it's not logical to punish "someone". The man who dropped that cigaret, and felt the fire was his fault, it could of been ANYONE! He tried to put it out and he alerted police! Punishing him made no sense...the guilt what happened probably bothered him till he died. But I think the club help a lot of blame for not cleaning under the stands....wooden ones no less!
BlurryBigfoot spot on. What some may not realise is that smoking was far more common in the public domain. The sheer negligence and blame shifting of the owner(s) is unforgivable. I've nearly finished Fletcher's book. He mentions countless mistakes made that day (the gate openers, lack of communication over broken tannoy and between authorities) but the root of the problem lies with owners and that "missing" letter from the fire authority. Deep down Terry Yorath knows I reckon.
BlurryBigfoot Well I think that the common people should take more responsibility. Why do people not give some thought as to logical questions such as, "I wonder what could happen, in a stadium made of firewood?" How few people noticed how much trash was underneath, and had thoughts that the place was poorly maintained or unsafe? I mean, what is wrong with people's minds? You watch some cellphone UA-cam video, of some nightclub catching on fire. Well at least the person with that cellphone, got out okay. But why didn't people head for the exits, at the very moment they set off pyrotechnics on the stage? "I am out of here. Let's leave!" Playing with fire in a crowded place, what could possibly go wrong? Why do people even want to be in a chaotic crowded place? Why not just leave, before the drama begins? Why ride around with a drunk? Why not just stay home or choose better smarter friends?
Yosef MacGruber You stated in words my exact thoughts. If that had been me behind that cell phone recording, I would have done the same: turned around IMMEDIATELY and headed for the exit. If you are in a public place and come upon or see even the slightest bit of smoke, it is stupid, foolish and beyond comprehension to ignore it and stay where you are. People are so wrapped up in their own little worlds they become incredibly oblivious to the first sign of warnings and have no idea what is happening around them until it is too late. Pay attention people and don't ever ignore something because it appears inconsequential or "no big deal" at the time: things like this can take hold and rage out of control in seconds. That's why they end up being the disasters they do.
I don't understand how so many died the stand was almost empty when the fire started. Were people in toilets and getting a drink or was it the smoke that killed most people? Just trying to understand. RIP 56 angels ❤️
I was only 6 years old when this happened, but I remember it very well after seeing it on TV, especially the man on fire. I had the pleasure to visit Valley parade twice to see my home town Portsmouth play on the last game of the season. One we had to win to stay up and the other we had already been crowned champions of Division one (now the championship). We invaded the pitch at full time on both occasions as did the Bradford city fans. When the Police line that was in-between us broke, we were all having a party, shaking hands etc. Truly awesome supporters. RIP to all of those that lost their lives and my thoughts are with those that survived, but still struggle today.
Brings tears to my eyes to see so many die 56 in that fire though as far as I'm aware the police in THIS instance did a good job along with some members of the public getting people out as quickly as possible I remember i was 14 at the time. With this on 11th may 1985 Heysel Tragedy on 29 May 1985 and Hillsborough Tragedy on 15th April 1985 to all those who passed RIP and those who were injured and traumatised may you be have the strength and courage to go on with your lives
I remember seeing the fire on tv, it grew so fast, but I didn't know anyone had actually died until watching this. It feels like there wasn't enough publicity after the event.
My great uncle was there that day he was a worker he luckily did not die but my mum and grandad sat there knowing he was there just a couple miles away with a massive fire
Cry about that selfless action of your gran, mate. It's perfectly right and okay to do so. She did something amazing.
Did she die? cant tell
@@yourusernamehere4432 Sadly yes
@@all-england-r-we5071 R.I.P
Your grandmother was an hero
His Gran, what a brave selfless lady she was. Truly amazing
Feel sorry for the guy- must have felt awful over the years knowing he had accidently caused deaths etc.
He may have started the fire, but the awful condition of the stand caused the deaths. A properly maintained stand, cleared of tens of years of rubbish, would not have burned down.
his fault deciding to be a smoker anyway
If you have a smoldering butt and a stand that goes up in flames in an inferno in 4 minutes I can tell you it was not the fault of the guy with a smouldering butt.
It was the fault of the owners of the stadium for the poor upkeep and design of the stands. A year before a report was made about the poor conditions and even stated the fact that all of the trash under stand was a fire hazard. Simply cleaning up the trash would have prevented the fire from happening. And not having fire extinguishers was also neglect by the owners.
I'm American but my husband is English. He has a friend who was there that day. The friend was a policeman on duty. He ended up getting severely burned. Just like that gentleman (Mr. Leesing?) described, his police coat melted as he was trying to help victims.
Oh my gosh, I cannot believe the owners weren't prosecuted. I'm glad the families were able to sue and get some money, but wow. I just can't believe there were never any criminal charges filed. "A different time", indeed! I remember reading about the fire. The author said that investigators found newspapers in the rubble that dated back to pre-decimal days. I asked my husband what that meant and he explained about the modern currency coming in during the early 70's. So that wooden stadium had rubbish under it dating back to the 1960's or even earlier! Unbelievable.
A newspaper from 1968, I read on another UA-cam video about this. Tragic 💔
policemen examining the debris came across a copy of the Bradford Telegraph and Argus dated Monday 4 November 1968, as well as a bag of peanuts costing six old pennies (decimalisation had been introduced in 1971).
one of those fact stranger than fiction moments when you realise a flammable football stand accomodating thousands of people hadnt been cleaned properly in probably at least seventeen years .
There's no way anyone could own a sports stadium and *not* know there were years of dry rubbish under the wooden stands. Not even if they'd only owned the stadium for two years. The owners clearly don't feel responsible, nor were they held responsible. Shocking and disgraceful, imo.
And this is the owner who didn't have 7 previous business fires behind him! No, it wasn't arson -- but that doesn't mean Higgenbottom is not responsible for safety at his stadium.
The police and fire services should have seen and thus considered the hazard -- at least have been prepared, with hoses ready nearby, in case fire broke out. They would know from training and experience that it could become an inferno in minutes. That was also gross negligence, imo, but at least it wasn't just to save money.
Tragedies like this are why safety rules have become so much more strict since the 80s. It takes a lot of spontaneous joys out of life (including making everything much more expensive) but it seems to be necessary, because too many people won't step up to their responsibilities unless they're forced.
Very sad, RIP innocent souls.
Bad housekeeping is a major cause of fires and completely unnecessary. Anyone with a scrap of common sense would have seen the risks associated with 2 feet of rubbish below a wooden structure with gaps that allowed it to accumulate allowing a cigarette to fall through and ignite it.
I suspect that lazy staff simply swept rubbish through the gaps over many years.
It was unforgivable and both the owners and maintenance engineers should have been prosecuted for criminal negligence.
In addition to the fire risk, tho rubbish would have been infested with vermin, producing a major health hazard.
Sadly. although we are awash with rules and legislation over recent years. keeping buildings free from a build up of rubbish is still often overlooked.
Waiting on standby with water hoses is not a logical solution. Closing the stands off to the public until the football club gets their sh*t together and cleans up the trash and clears the escape routes is what should've happened. Luckly, that's how it is today.
Isn’t hindsight a wonderful thing. We can be grateful people learned from this experience, as usually it takes a mistake to occur for people to truly switch on. That being said, RIP to the 56
Whole thing stinks. Funny handshake brigade?
@@moraymac2922I could well believe that, I live in Liskeard Cornwall, they run the plod ( I know, much harassment for years & stitched up ) & the Council, amongst other things & can stop you working ! I despise them !!
1980s was no doubt the worst decade in English football for supporters. Hooligans, fire, injuries, crushing, and deaths
Two years later the King's Cross fire happened under the same circumstance: discarded match/cigarette. Both fires were fueled by extremely flammable materials underneath the floor/escalator which helped spread the flames. It's quite an eerie coincidence.
I was just thinking the same thing. Eerily similar in many ways. I think in both cases, people saw what they thought was a very small litter fire, and didn't take it seriously enough. It was very common on the underground at the time for such small fires to break out on escalators, but this one was different. When the fire brigade arrived, they instantly realised it was actually just the visible part of a huge blaze under the treads, and called for 10 appliances, which surprised the LT staff. Had they realised what they were dealing with sooner, there probably wouldn't have been any fatalities. I think Bradford was similar - by the time smoke appeared above the platforms, the fire was already well developed underneath, and had probably been burning for quite a while. They lost precious minutes watching the smoke.
everyone remembers hillborough , and rightly so . it should never be forgotten . but please remember valley parade . 90% of the youth have never heard about the disaster . i still get upset now watching it .
What’s it about then
Wow interesting thanks for mentioning it
my heart will always be with the 56 who lost their lives in 1985. respect from a Liverpool fan. R.I.P to the 56
I support a team in Scotland called Livingston but is so hard to picture going to a football game and not coming back. RIP
+scouserGirl 2015 same
i echo your comments as a fellow Liverpool fan R.I.P to the 56 with love and respect
ScouserGirl 2015 I was at that game... I'll never forget it...
I could have made the death count 57
Ibrox, Glasgow - 1902 - 25 deaths
Burnden Park, Bolton -1946 - 33 deaths
Ibrox, Glasgow - 1971 - 66 deaths
Valley Parade, Bradford - 1985 - 56 deaths
Hillsborough, Sheffield - 1989 - 96 deaths
Britain has had more than it's share of football tragedies
Paul Hudson was there? I had no idea.
That lad's grandma saved his life. Her only thought was to get her grandbairn out and she died. That's so sad.
I was 22 when this happened , I wasn’t at the match, but at the motorbike shop opposite the ground , when we came out the shop ,noticed fire engine , and smoke , I turned to my friends and said , i knew that was going to happen , telling them a couple of weeks earlier I was at the ground to watch Leeds play Bradford , where we sat in the stand that caught fire, I remember telling my mates ,have you seen all this rubbish under the seats , it’s lethal and what a fire risk , and a danger to life. Not many years later I became a fireman for North Yorkshire fire and Rescue ,it had a lasting effect on me
Didn’t happen of the year
@@TonyDAnnunzio should’ve told the stewards about the fire risk if he was actually there, could’ve saved some lives
Powerful story and thanks for sharing.
As a fireman, your thoughts on one man owning 8 businesses experiencing fires? He ultimately made money from as a result, never truly investigated probably until he passes himself imo?
Also what sort of combustible material i.e trash would set a fire up so quick, 4 minutes? I suspect an additional one was added.
Stay safe out there, get home safe the world needs its hero's, I don't need to tell you life is cheap to some people. Buildings being literally covered with cheap combustible material, its insanity. Conveniently after they remove gas from high rise blocks off flats.
@@Tom-qb1rjThey didn't listen to the fire dept warnings, what makes you think some random 22 year old lad would have done better? Silly statement, shame on you.
Why is it that almost every deadly fire ever in a large public building was caused by exits being locked?
Not true: The Station. Our Lady of Angels. Beverly Hills Supper Club
Joe A. The reason why the exit at the back were locked was so people couldn’t sneak in with out paying but it’s not like that now obviously they leaned from the mistakes
Because it is so dangerous!
May those lessons continue to be remembered.
@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 they station had a similar contributor though. A bouncer blocked an exit greatly benefiting the bottle neck
Coconut Grove Club, Iroquois Theater Fire, the Ghost Ship, Victoria Hall Disaster.....locked doors and covered windows contributed to death tolls.
Dropping the cigarette was not the fault. Poor management and greed are the root causes.
Couldn’t agree more
I fully agree
I have attended a fire training course where this footage was used as a training aid.
Me too, it was truly shocking to see how quickly it went up and was out of control .
God the 80s had disaster after disaster it seems. The herald of free enterprise , Bradford fire , kings cross fire , Lockerbie , hillsborough.
There was also the Clapham rail crash, and of course the Heysel tragedy. Yes it does seem like the 80's saw it all. As a footballing decade it was dire. English football was at an all time low. The stadiums were cramped, archaic and so it was only a matter of time before disasters would happen.
I am a blackpool fan and I remember this so putting rivalry to one side I stood on the billboards across from bloom field rs when south stand was getting built.they were a good bunch we have one thing in common " hate leeds scum"
Disasters happen all the time, always have always will. The best we can do is learn from each one and move forward.
Yes, the 1980s were the worst decade for plane crashes (1985 in particular) and a terrible decade for English football fans.
@@peterbuchanan8993
Grow up 🤡
It didn't FEEL that primitive back then - "now" always feels modern to people at the time - but looking back I'm amazed I even survived childhood.
Burn your stand down, claim on the insurance as it was just about to be demolished anyway? That man Heginbotham, must have had friends in high places.
RIP The Bradford 56, from a fellow Bradfordian. I remember that day so well. So sad, an absolute tragedy that must never be forgotten
54 Bradford 2 Lincoln
We will remember them. Love from all at Glasgow Rangers FC 💙 🇬🇧❤ 🇬🇧 💙 🇬🇧
Rip to all concerned.Iwas there that day as a 9 year old with my dad n granddad.
That gentleman may have accidentally been the catalyst, but the CAUSE was decades of people throwing down trash and NO ONE picking it up. Let the blame lie where it should: with the club and the grounds managers. Maybe they couldn't build a brand new stadium because of money, but they damned sure could have picked up the trash!
Anyone who's watched Fascinating Horror knows that the biggest body counts in tragedies happen in pile-ups near locked or too-small exits
The Elephant in the Room with all of these Stadium Disaster's are the Owners,Greedy and Corrupt....
My grandad was at this match and because of the fire he rushed home early and my grandma wondered why he had arrived back early and all he said was turn in the tv and I know realised that I nearly never knew my grandad and I cherish him being around 👼
The horribly ironic thing is that the stand was going to be replaced at the end of that season. RIP 56 football fans from a fellow football fan
I remember coming home from a mini football tournament at school and my parents watching this on the news. I was 12 years old when this happened and seeing the flames rip through the stand and the image of the policeman's hair on fire as he was running from the burning stand are images that'll stay with me for a long time. R.I.P. too all of the 56 football fans who tragically lost their lives.
OMG that's like your 9/11. Anytime you see something like that in "real time" as a kid, even on the telly, it stays with you for life. Actually mine was Lady Di, and then of course 9/11
@@GlennDavey Yeah. I was too young to remember this, but I *do* remember watching the fall of the Berlin Wall. I don't recall seeing the Hillsborough disaster that same year, oddly, which you'd think I'd remember as well.
RIP to all those who passed.
Anyone with an iota of sense would have seen the danger long before this happened . What a pity Bradford dint have anyone like that .
I watched this tragedy on live television. It made me cry to see some of those supporters on fire.
My Dad was at the fire and one of the players give him a footie over the fence so he could escape it! He would've only be a young lad
What's a footie ?
@@lucylerma8211 also known as a "leg up" (i think) where I'm from. Someone places their hands or arms under a foot to help give lift to get over a wall or obstacle. They push you up a little.
Dropping cigarettes and matches to light cigarettes has a lot of answer for doesn't it. Bradford and Kings Cross were started in that way.
Also Negligence. King's Cross's wooden escalators had grease buildup underneath them, which fuelled the fire.
@@johnnyfartpants4801 Also in regards to the fire at King's Cross Station; the London Underground staff had used copious amounts of varnish on the wooden escalators and equally copious amounts of paint on the walls of the ticket hall. After these tragedies; the obvious question is what can be done to prevent it from occurring again in the future. The same question can be asked after the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris last spring. My solution to prevent a recurrence of the Notre Dame fire would be to install a fire sprinkler system. An easy way to avoid disrupting the interior aesthetics of Notre Dame Cathedral with a fire sprinkler system is to design the sprinkler heads to look like the heads of gargoyles. An additional fire prevention method would be to have fire extinguishers placed throughout the church. In regards to the question of how the sprinkler system would have an adequate water supply; the water supply for the sprinklers would be provided by the waters of the Seine River because of the fact that Notre Dame Cathedral is located on the Île de la Cité, which would provide the fire sprinklers with an endless supply of water and give the members of the Notre Dame clergy and congregation peace of mind.
@@michaellovely6601 Okay you go tell them that buddy all the best
8 fires in 13 years? HELLO. And NO body held accountable for this fire? Shocking.
I dont think he started it , but he was quite probably waiting for it to happen ie not removing the rubbish that had accumulated under the stand as was mentioned in the early part of the video that they where going to replace the roof of the stand , a nice insurance pay out could of been a possibly way of getting it funded ?????
I seen that video of the stadium fire, in a training class for fire and evacuation for my job in new York city subway, absolutely heart wrenching
I remember this as if it was yesterday. I was 14 yrs of age. Stood at the top of a hill, saw the flicker, then wept in horror....RIP 56 football fans...x
In this day and age, there still would be no prosecution. Grenfell.
And two years on from this comment, still no justice.
Yeah there have definitely been historical prosecutions of negligent building owners, and likewise there have been no prosecutions of modern disasters. That man was talking some A-grade agenda-pushing corrupt nonsense for camera.
@@zoobrix1282 , it's just unbelievable!
Corporate greed has always been the bane of football.
For those wondering why the fire service only wrote advisory letters in the years before the fire, it's because they had no jurisdiction over the ground. The Fire Precautions Act 1971 would only have covered the admin offices and the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 (a reaction to the 1971 Ibrox "Staircase 13" disaster) wasn't specifically a fire safety law and was administered by the local council (the fire service being an 'interested party' but no more than that). The Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987, brought in after Bradford amended both the Fire Precautions Act and Safety of Sports Grounds Acts to bring stadia under proper fire safety legislation. Sheffield United still had a wooden stand when I started going there as a first aider, but as a result of the change in law was no smoking, had every exit manned by a steward and was littered with loads of extinguishers and dedicated fire stewards - if this had been in place at Bradford things would have been different. ~Unfortunately, with the exception of the most recent fire safety legislation (Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) UK fire legislation has been 'tombstone' legislation requiring a major disaster to kick start it: Eastwood Mill Fire = Factories Act 1961 Fire Certificate requirements; Hendersons Department Store Fire = Offices, Shops & Railways Premises Act 1963 Means of Escape Certificate requirements; Rose & Crown Hotel Fire = Fire Precautions Act 1971; Bradford Fire = Fire Safety and Safety of Places of Sport Act 1987; Kings Cross Fire = Fire Precautions (Sub-surface Railway Stations) Regulations 1989
Thank you so much for this breakdown of the fire laws in the UK! I’m kind of horrified they allowed the wooden stand at Bramall Lane to carry on being used, but I guess football clubs make the excuse that it will be safe with extra measures (fire watching staff etc) until they can afford to change things. Thankfully Bramall Lane is a beautiful (and safe) ground now (even if I don’t particularly like the team that plays there 😂).
All fires with a large number of deaths seem to be because of locked or blocked exits, whether accidental or intentional.
+MerleOberon Yep, yet evil people keep locking exits to occupied buildings.
High walls, food and litter, and wood bunches?
+MerleOberon you are right there.
Merle, that is true. Here in Pennsylvania USA, there was a deadly fire in 1908 in the Rhoads Opera House in Boyertown borough. It cost 171 lives because the doors to the third-story room where plays took place opened INWARD. Once a kerosene lantern used for lighting sparked the blaze, people panicked and were trapped against the doors.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhoads_Opera_House_fire
MerleOberon it's very fortunate that there was no caging along the pitch side of the stand, like at Hillsborough. It could of Been thousands. Literally. I cry for them.
The two businessmen should be fined heavily & locked up... especially with having 8 previous fires... sounds like a massive insurance scam to me
Hardly insurance scam just plain old neglect and lack of cleanliness. And a rather outdated and unsafe stand
"sounds like" doesn't count as a enough to put someone in prison
So we been promoted. The materials were in the carpark to rebuild with no money to do it .
Faced with not being able repay debts if spectators wouldnt be allowed in ...
Stafford did it .
No wonder he died so quickly .
Stafford was a murderer!!!
@@PointNemo9 People remain innocent if you don't investigate them.
We had a similar thing happen here in the US called The Station nightclub fire which killed 100 people, that too was the result of poor planning and people in charge living in denial of the potential danger.
And the recent fire in Oakland. Ugh. How does this keep happening. :(
Look up the Boyertown fire 1908. 170 died in a small town in PA.
The Station was many reasons. Mainly 2 brothers that were money hungry soulless vile human beings. Also a mention, an ignorant person taking a video instead of helping people get out quicker. So many reasons. Rip to all out brothers and sisters that we lost there.
Nicole M Out of all damn people, you put blame on Brian Butler? Not everyone is a damn selfless hero. There was nothing you could do for those trapped in the pileup/crowd crush. With those situations, the only way you start to remove people efficiently is starting from the top, but the fire was spreading rapidly and the smoke was even worse. And once people at the top were removed there's a good chance of more people crawling forward. And you think that the person you grab the hand of will be the only one? Everyone will latch on for their lives, and wouldn't you know it, then you're stuck as the fire gets closer and closer!
Most of those who went back in to save lives, too, ended up not coming back out. While i do think he could've vocally warned people when he first noticed as he was one of the first ones, it's a human mistake under adrenaline and shock to save your own skin. You're asking for that cameraman to have died.
tyranny No no. I blame the brothers, that's where my blame lies. Im just angry with Brian. When i heard him talk, i kinda felt his pain. I don't blame him for "everything" from what you are saying. I know his video has helped with justice but it's all fucked, that whole situation.
never forget watching this on TV I was only ten absolutely horrorfying the same day a young lad was killed as Leeds and Birmingham fans rioted and a few weeks later the heysel disaster happened very very dark days for football 😔
RIP Bradford 56 YNWA
I've always thought Jack Tordoff is a liar.
I remember this well, even though I am from the US, Texas. This event was big news across the pond as well. God Bless all those souls, and everyone who was touched by this awful tragedy.
Also, I am a retired firefighter, over 28 years service. I used this tragedy when I taught classes to my fellow firefighters on various aspects of fire prevention. So, in that respect, I hope some good came out of this fire. I did my part to ensure that these lives were not lost in vain, and that some small measure of good could come from it. I'm not looking for a "pat on the back", just saying this in the hopes that it might provide some small measure of comfort to those who lost loved ones, and to the survivors. Once again, God Bless them all.
PoppaBlue59 Kent
PoppaBlue59 Kent I live in Bradford and I see the stadium often. I don't ever want to go in there because I'm terrified of it. I've never been in it either.
I'm sorry that you have to see that place. What an emotional thing that must be.
God Bless you'
Texas retired. 29 years service.
PoppaBlue59 Ketay
@ 10.05 mins. Guy states the gap between the wooden slats and the floor was 'about' two feet. I can remember it being a lot more than that. The amount of debris underneath the stand was huge. It was tinder dry, as the roof protected it. The signs were there, long before that terrible day.
When city scored you literally used to have to hold on for dear life as the boards would 'bounce' up and down. It.
I was 4 years old that day and remember hearing the news or rather seeing pics on the news that night of the fire I said to my dad is that a fireworks display soo young did understand.
I was in Australia at the time and remember watching on the news at the shocking scenes but I have never understood the mentality of a lot of fan's on the pitch who were jumping up and down cheering and thought it was funny, I hope those fan's were able to see themselves on the newsreel afterwards and now feel ashamed and how stupid they were. Smoking in old wooden stands was banned in Australia because of what happened at Bradford City.
I know what you mean but I think that those people didn't realise that people had died at that time. Even the players and other people in the club thought that everyone had got out of the stand and that nobody was killed.
Watched this for the first time today, very upsetting and my thoughts go out to all involved... 😔
May 1985 was an horrific time in English football history.
The nadir. This and Heysel were the lowest point in English football history. By the time of Hillsborough, things had already started to turn for the better albeit very slowly.
Imagine if the fans in Valley Parade had been caged in like those at Hillsborough - no access onto the pitch? Makes me shudder! The death toll would have been unthinkable!
alot of knackard foot ball stands around by the 1980s. thay were all decades old wore out falling apart rotten bady designed things. so many clubs were bank rupt or skint around this time aswell. 1980s was full of things like this happending all mostly from old knackared buildings or oil rigs like the piper alfa desaster. all from years of neglect and lack of investment. was the hang over from the 1970s depression alot of it.
Thank god they didn’t have fencing in front of that stand. I was14 when this happened and watched it being reported on Grandstand. Heart breaking.
Poor lad and his grandmother.
Lazy, scruffy club letting all that rubbish build up. Surely it was common sense that cigarettes will fall into the stand? Tragic for those families. The arrogance and ignorance of those owners, murderers.
I remember going watching Oldham play in the late 70s through the 1980s and the chaddy end. Had wooden stand and half a ton of trash under the floors tinderbox just needed dry summer and a match or a stray smoke 🔥🔥🔥🔥😬
8 fires???!!!
That stand went up like it was covered in petrol. In a minute it was engulfed.
I still cannot believe it only took a few minutes for the entire stand to burn down.
1985 really was a dark year for English football
Never forget this awful disaster. Rip to the 56 souls lost on that day
R.I.P Nelly
My grandpa saved a lady from the fire and got an award 🥇
31 years ago even now is still sad
my son had a fire safety course about a month ago and the bradford fire film was used, so sadly the aftermath has done some good since the tragedy
Just came off one and we were shown the same one. Flash to Bang in under 5minutes.
Told this to my Son as a way to highlight when we ask him to do something when we are out he needs to pay attention. No one at that match thought anything bad would happen. Sadly that day 56 people never made it home.
That Heginbotham had blood on his hands.
They removed all of the fire extinguishers. Are you kidding me?
Anyone watching on TV will always remember the fire.
While it wasn't out-and-out arson, it reeks of LIHOP by Heginbotham, who, by this time, would've been expert at it.
#JFT56
Sorry for my ignorance but what is LIHOP ???
@@wocko53 LIHOP = Let It Happen On Purpose...
Remember the day well , as it was my birthday . I was at St Andrews watching Birmingham play Leeds , when the news came through of this awful tragedy . Of course with all the problems at our game with the fighting fans . It barely registered with us . But later when the enormity of what happened at Bradford sank in . It just totally froze & upset me . To think of all those poor people had died . Needless to say I did not enjoy my birthday at all . Even now thinking or being reminded of that day . Chills me to the bone .feel so sorry for the gentleman who lost his gran . Devastating .
You should never go to a football match and never come home. Criminal what happened that day.
How sad!! I survived a fire my self I feel the pain of all who suffered! I have to ask what about fire suppression system? Perhaps I am wrong I did not see a fire extinguisher!
There wasn't any to hand at the time even tho a policeman asked for one to be passed the message was misheard & the fire brigade was called instead.
My apologies to all.. Still what a horrible situation my prayers to all..
+Jonathan Kovacs If I recall correctly, they didn't have them out for fear that they'd be used as a weapon. You have to remember that this was at the height of the 'football hooligans' problem where riots and fan violence caused many injuries and sometimes deaths. The last thing they wanted was people using a fire extinguisher as a weapon in something like that.
Unfortunately, it meant that nothing was to hand when an actual fire broke out.
It was just so awful.
They weren't widely used back in the day & frankly the stadium was wooden & full of rubbish underneath which caused it to go up like a tinderbox.
A Fire extinguisher probably wouldn't have helped in that situation.
A Flashover is a ferocious thing.
I witnessed this when I eleven. The tears today are worse because I see people who tried in a hopeless situation. The police should be given a bit of respect for that day.
As a supporter (lover) of Glasgow Celtic my thought and prayers are with the loved ones of the poor people lost in this tragedy 🙏🏻
I would feel the same if this happened to Glasgow Rangers fans, OBVIOUSLY!!
Sadly I KNOW some (thankfully a minority) rangers fans wouldn't care too much if this happened to Celtic fans but that is the way these people are brought up, or should I say dragged up?!?! These people are scum of the earth & I say this from personal experience .... To call these bastards "animals" would be an insult to the animal kingdom .
Got Bless all those killed, injured & effected by this human tragedy of 1985 🙏🏻🇮🇪✊🏻🇮🇪🙏🏻
There is definetely Celtic fans who would wish this on Rangers
I was 15 years old in 1985 and I was not fully aware of all the facts surrounding this disaster until i got the internet, I regularly pray for the 56 and I cry now and again as I watch remembrance videos
You never saw the tinder dry rubbish that lay beneath the seats, and tarred roof at the back of the stand
stand, plus all the vents in the old woodwork . Nothing better for a funeral pire
I remember that day, we had live updates from BBC's Grandstand, is was tragic ... We should never forget all of those 56 people who went to a football match and lost there lives. Given what is in this documentary (and it was known then) The Football League, the Bradford City's Board, the Local Authority, Fire and Police knew of its Health and Safety INADEQUACY'S ... They have the RESPECTABILITY .... I do not know how they can Live with Themselves.
'Cuz no one makes them.
I remember this. I was watching TV at my grandparents home...there was a news break.. TV USA. We were hprrified… and saddened...
John Helm's incredible commentary
I've never been a fan of football if I'm honest (I detest it, especially now that I reluctantly live within a few hundred yards of a major [new] football stadium) but what happened at Bradford City was a genuine tragedy and I truly sympathise with all those who were affected by it. I was just beginning secondary school at the time of the fire and distinctly remember it in the news; it was heartbreaking. RIP to all those who perished while watching their favourite game. Peace.
Why not move if you don't like it so much .
@@dmac7406 , as the lady said, she reluctantly lives near the stadium.
I think everybody in Bradford will remember what they were doing on that day (me included). A lad I went to school with was one of the 56 who perished that day. His sister and dad perished as well. A neighbour was at the match with his dad and had been sitting in G block where the fire started. They were in the clubhouse when the fire started so they had a lucky escape. I remember seeing one of those pictures the off-duty copper took being published in The Times. I also remember the investigation finding rubbish dating back to the 1960s that had accumulated under the floorboards of the stand so this was an accident waiting to happen.
Is was fifteen years old and at a friend's house when I sore a watched the disaster, rip the 56 who died
I was 4 yesrs old
RIP the 56 people who lost their lives on this day. From a Liverpool season ticket holder.
I went to a league cup match against Manchester United in 1982 looking for my seat a steward said sorry mate that seat doesn’t exist anymore the state of football in those days the back of the stand was dark and what it was like that terrible day I just can’t imagine. I went to the match against Leyton Orient last season it was the nearest match to the anniversary very moving rest in peace all
Those poor people going to a football match and not coming home and indeed the survivors. They have to live with the terrifying memories. I'm 99.9% confident now that it would never happen again, due to safeguarding. Which wasn't really present back then.
The fire started because paper and trash were on the floor and also the stadium was made out of wood so it would burn easy
Maybe not in this country, but other parts of the world are yet to catch up.
Never say never, anything can happen at anytime. Always look for available escape routes, and not just in case of a fire.
The state of these stadiums
That many fires is no coincidence. Disturbing.
8 previous fires in 14 years ? Known fire hazard under a timber stand and nothing done about it ? Planning to put a new roof on that stand (a nice fire claim could of paid for that ) ????? Very coincidental that the alleged person that dropped the burning cigarette was over here on holiday and took months to find him (was he ever made public) ???? RIP to the 56 and their families
I've always felt uneasy about Stafford's previous fires, but don't waste your time starting conspiracy theories. It was an accident.
You think he would start the fire in the middle of a live televised game with thousands of people in the stand for an insurance claim?!?!?? Jesus some people are just conspiracy addicts.
Lord / Sir /Justice... Popplewell. Three of those things are wrong, and they all occur before you get to the name, that is Popplewell.
I think it's often complacency, in many areas and with many people, not just the owners chaining fire escapes shut but people like the gentleman refusing to move until he got his change, people often don't take fire seriously enough whether that be from a building management standpoint and fire safety procedures, or members of the public reacting to fire.
As a fire warden I've seen my manager have coffee thrown on her when she told people they had to leave during a fire evacuation, I've been sworn at for asking someone to move an item that they'd placed in front of a fire evacuation door, and I've had to report multiple colleagues for propping open fire doors that would slow down the spread of flame and smoke and give people more time to evacuate.
People never think it's going to happen to them and fire safety gets lax until a disaster, but every time there is an incident it's only a matter of time before people get lazy again. Problems found don't get followed up and serious issues get put on the "we'll do it next year" cycle permanently. Grenfell was another example of inadequate fire escapes, condemned extinguisihers, and poor material choice.
It's a bloody good job that stand wasn't fenced in.
i watched this live on tv the day this happened
I first saw the footage at my fire marshals fire door inspectors course. It was shocking how quick that fire started to spread. but then looking at the details like wooden decking, all that rubbish underneath like tickets programs sweet rappers, it's a miracle it never happened sooner in a larger scale. Imagine they had the fences up or it was during the 40 or 50s when they would pack people in.
Sometimes, when a disaster like this happens, it's not logical to punish "someone".
The man who dropped that cigaret, and felt the fire was his fault, it could of been ANYONE! He tried to put it out and he alerted police!
Punishing him made no sense...the guilt what happened probably bothered him till he died.
But I think the club help a lot of blame for not cleaning under the stands....wooden ones no less!
But why do smokers treat the world as if their ashtray?
The man with the sigaret was the trigger, the lack of safety in the stadium was the reason, the man in charge is guilty.
BlurryBigfoot spot on. What some may not realise is that smoking was far more common in the public domain. The sheer negligence and blame shifting of the owner(s) is unforgivable. I've nearly finished Fletcher's book. He mentions countless mistakes made that day (the gate openers, lack of communication over broken tannoy and between authorities) but the root of the problem lies with owners and that "missing" letter from the fire authority. Deep down Terry Yorath knows I reckon.
BlurryBigfoot
Well I think that the common people should take more responsibility. Why do people not give some thought as to logical questions such as, "I wonder what could happen, in a stadium made of firewood?" How few people noticed how much trash was underneath, and had thoughts that the place was poorly maintained or unsafe? I mean, what is wrong with people's minds? You watch some cellphone UA-cam video, of some nightclub catching on fire. Well at least the person with that cellphone, got out okay. But why didn't people head for the exits, at the very moment they set off pyrotechnics on the stage? "I am out of here. Let's leave!" Playing with fire in a crowded place, what could possibly go wrong? Why do people even want to be in a chaotic crowded place? Why not just leave, before the drama begins? Why ride around with a drunk? Why not just stay home or choose better smarter friends?
Yosef MacGruber
You stated in words my exact thoughts. If that had been me behind that cell phone recording, I would have done the same: turned around IMMEDIATELY and headed for the exit. If you are in a public place and come upon or see even the slightest bit of smoke, it is stupid, foolish and beyond comprehension to ignore it and stay where you are. People are so wrapped up in their own little worlds they become incredibly oblivious to the first sign of warnings and have no idea what is happening around them until it is too late. Pay attention people and don't ever ignore something because it appears inconsequential or "no big deal" at the time: things like this can take hold and rage out of control in seconds. That's why they end up being the disasters they do.
Profit before safety, nothing changes.
I dont think the guy with the cigarette can be held responsible for it
I don't understand how so many died the stand was almost empty when the fire started. Were people in toilets and getting a drink or was it the smoke that killed most people? Just trying to understand. RIP 56 angels ❤️
Stand was full, those that died tried to get out at the back of the stand but the gates were locked.
I was only 6 years old when this happened, but I remember it very well after seeing it on TV, especially the man on fire. I had the pleasure to visit Valley parade twice to see my home town Portsmouth play on the last game of the season. One we had to win to stay up and the other we had already been crowned champions of Division one (now the championship). We invaded the pitch at full time on both occasions as did the Bradford city fans. When the Police line that was in-between us broke, we were all having a party, shaking hands etc. Truly awesome supporters. RIP to all of those that lost their lives and my thoughts are with those that survived, but still struggle today.
Brings tears to my eyes to see so many die 56 in that fire though as far as I'm aware the police in THIS instance did a good job along with some members of the public getting people out as quickly as possible I remember i was 14 at the time. With this on 11th may 1985 Heysel Tragedy on 29 May 1985 and Hillsborough Tragedy on 15th April 1985 to all those who passed RIP and those who were injured and traumatised may you be have the strength and courage to go on with your lives
How sad went to watch a ⚽ match and celebrate their championship and this happened just sad smh.
I remember seeing the fire on tv, it grew so fast, but I didn't know anyone had actually died until watching this. It feels like there wasn't enough publicity after the event.
My thought is that it's a miracle that died only 56. Anyway a high number, so sad
My great uncle was there that day he was a worker he luckily did not die but my mum and grandad sat there knowing he was there just a couple miles away with a massive fire
Your Grandparents must have been so unbelievably worried.
@@paigeleigh2554 yes very
Why should iit be remembered? Did the interviewer really ask that???
The stands were also painted with highly flammable wood paint.