Watched the whole thing live on Yorkshire TV

It was very similar to the old South stand, with a low wall in front but no fences, it was all seated. The whole thing started with a few people moving away from the back right corner of the stand, but hardly anyone realised the danger and most remained seated. Then there was a flicker of flame, and some started to move forward. Trouble was, people were unwilling to get out of their seats nearer the front, causing an obstruction. Soon the blaze caught hold, and the heat must have been searing. The last few out of the front of that stand were literally smouldering, my worst memory was the old gent in a raincoat, obviously in shock. A copper ran across the pitch and grabbed him, walking him away from the fire. The poor old boy's hair was on fire and his raincoat smoking. I believe he later died. The sheer horror of the whole thing was obvious in the commentater's voice - he kept going to the credit of him and his profession.
Of course, at that stage no-one knew that about 50 souls had gone to the rear of the stand, to find the doors chained and padlocked. They died where they stood, with nowhere to escape. Within an hour the whole stand had gone. And that day Bradford were celebrating promotion.

Posted By: Cannydc on March 11th 2008 at 07:14:19

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