Heartbreaking: Biggest Stadium Burnt Down to Ashes Due to fire inferno….A devastating fire occurred on May 11, 1985, at Valley Parade stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, during a Football League Third Division match between Bradford City and Lincoln City. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of 56 spectators and injuries to at least 265 others.
The fire, which is considered one of the worst sporting disasters in the UK, started in the main stand of the stadium, which had a wooden roof. The cause was attributed to an accumulation of garbage beneath the stands, likely ignited by a discarded cigarette. Despite warnings about the dilapidated state of the stand and its wooden structure, it was scheduled to be replaced after the season ended.
Within minutes of the fire being reported, the blaze rapidly engulfed the entire stand due to the old, dry wood and windy conditions, trapping many fans. Eyewitnesses described the rapid spread of the fire, with the entire roof burning in a mere four minutes. The incident highlighted critical safety failures, including locked exits that hindered escape.
The Bradford City stadium fire led to significant changes in football stadium safety regulations. The disaster is often revisited as a stark reminder of the importance of fire safety in public venues. The Bradford City football club continues to support the Burns Unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary as its official charity in memory of the victims.
For more information, you can refer to the following sources:
* Witnesses to Bradford City stadium fire recall horror 40 years on | ITV News Calendar
* Valley Parade – Wikipedia
* How did the Bradford City stadium fire change football? | ITV News – YouTube
* Bradford City stadium fire – Wikipedia
* Fire kills 50 at soccer stadium | May 11, 1985 – History.com
* One of the Worst Disasters In British Football History : The 1985 Bradford City St
adium Fire
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