A devastating stadium fire occurred , at Valley Parade stadium in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England, during a Football League Third Division match between Bradford City and Lincoln City. The fire, believed to have been caused by a discarded cigarette, engulfed the main stand, killing 56 spectators and injuring at least 265.¹The disaster led to significant changes in safety regulations at UK stadiums, including the banning of new wooden grandstands and improved emergency preparedness. The Popplewell Inquiry, established to investigate the disaster, found that the club had been warned about the fire risk posed by the accumulated rubbish under the stand, but had failed to take adequate action.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Bradford Burns Unit was established, and the club received widespread support from around the world, including messages of condolence from Queen Elizabeth II and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
