Remember The 56

[Ric.ror]

Could we all take a minute to remember the 56 who were tragically killed at the Bradford City Fire in 1985
Gone but never forgotten

[Ken4155]

The images of those perishing in the flames is burned on my memory forever, Ric.ror. The team had just been presented with the trophy for winning the Division 3 championship and all Bradford fans were in high spirits, with the attendance almost twice the average for that season. By half time, however, that party atmosphere had been replaced by one of abject horror. At that time, the whole of the stand was made from wood, so the fire spread almost in an instant and 56 poor souls lost their lives. Truly one of the blackest days in the history of football.

[Ric.ror]

I was six months pregnant and watched the smoke from my window
Tragic - and the stories from the families are absolutely heartbreaking

[Ken4155]

I'd just returned from watching Burnley play their last home game of the season and the news was on. My wife was actually crying and i was soon almost in tears, myself, totally lost for words, and the only other time i remember feeling this way when watching a tv news report was the attack on the twin towers.

[Ken4155]

By the way, Ric.ror, i think you maybe should have put this in CB. You may have had a much better response.

[zebo]

Very tragic, we had lived not far from Valley Parade years before and couldn't bear to imagine the horror of those trapped.
Just after my father was demobbed from the RAF he had gone to watch Bolton play Stoke at Burnden Park but he had met up with a couple of old friends and they'd gone into town for a drink (or two) instead of going to the match. When he arrived home at about half seven my mother really went for him. He hadn't heard about the tragedy on the ground when 33 had died, amazing in these days of instant news.

[mushroom25]

the footage filmed by Yorkshire TV and broadcast on the day uncensored (by both BBC and ITV), although embargoed for years, was available to fire training providers as an aid to demonstrate how quickly fire spreads from nothing. it was shown with a moving timestamp, and the whole event was over in less than 5 minutes. appalling.

[Lie-in King]

On what should have been a day of celebration, an appalling tragedy. I remember being astonished by the speed & intensity of the blaze, as well as at the courage of the police & supporters that were helping. I had different feelings for the supporters dancing & laughing for the cameras.

Thank you Ric.ror, never forgotten indeed.