The DEADLY Bradford City Fire Breaks Out In Minutes - Destroys Packed Stadium!! 😮

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In 1985, the Bradford City fire devastated the football world. No one could have imagined what was to transpire. The fire of Bradford City marked one of the deadliest incidents ever witnessed at a football ground. This tragic event left an indelible scar on football fans worldwide. This video aims to uncover the causes of the fire and explore its aftermath.
Bradford City Football Club, competing in the English football league, called Valley Parade, also known as the University of Bradford Stadium, their home ground. Built in 1886 initially for Manningham Rugby Football Club, it was later redeveloped by architect AR Board Leech to accommodate association football. The main stand, dating back to 1908, seated 5,300 spectators and was constructed with highly flammable binous roofing felt.
In 1985, Bradford City celebrated their promotion to Division 2 after winning the Division 3 Championship. On May 11th of that year, during a match against Lincoln City, tragedy struck. A small fire ignited at the rear of the main stand, gradually spreading due to the highly combustible roofing material. Despite efforts to extinguish it, the fire quickly engulfed the stand, trapping thousands of fans inside.
As the situation worsened, spectators attempted to flee, but many exits were locked or inaccessible, exacerbating the chaos. Despite valiant rescue attempts by police and fans, 56 spectators lost their lives, and over 265 were injured. The layout of the stand, with barriers hindering escape onto the pitch, further compounded the tragedy. It only took 4 minutes for the stand to be completely engulfed in flames. While a number of people tried to exit through the rear of the stands, this stood to be where the fire and heat were the worst. Many then had opted to go over the wall directly in front of the stands, which was a five foot wall.
An inquiry led by Justice Popplewell determined that a discarded cigarette likely sparked the blaze, igniting accumulated rubbish beneath the stand. Despite prior warnings about fire hazards, including a buildup of combustible materials, no action was taken. The courts held both the football club and the Fire Authority jointly responsible, leading to substantial compensation payouts. The person that dropped the cigarette tried to put it out with coffee, but their efforts were in vain as the fire spread so quickly.
The Bradford City fire, along with the Hillsborough disaster four years later, prompted significant reforms in stadium safety regulations in the UK. Today, all stadiums in the top two divisions must adhere to strict safety standards, with wooden stands now banned, and smoking prohibited in areas with existing wooden structures.
Though these measures came too late to save the 56 lives lost in the Bradford City fire, they stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of those who perished, and a solemn reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in sports venues.