Hundreds remember victims of stadium disaster
THE LORD Mayor of Bradford said it was important for people in the city to “take time out of our busy lives” to remember the victims of the Valley Parade fire disaster as he marked the 32nd anniversary of the tragedy.
Hundreds of people gathered in Centenary Square yesterday to pay their respects to the 56 people who were killed at Bradford City’s stadium on May 11, 1985.
Representatives from Bradford City, the emergency services, Bradford Council and both sporting and civic dignitaries from Lincoln – who Bradford were playing on the day of the fire – attended a service and laid wreaths at the fire memorial.
The service was attended by the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives or were injured.
The act of remembrance included a minute’s silence, the laying of wreaths and Abide With Me was sung. A garland of flowers was also placed on a bell in Bradford City Hall that came from the first fire engine to arrive on the scene of the fire. Councillor Geoff Reid, Lord Mayor of Bradford, said: “It is extremely important to the city and the district that we take time out of our busy lives to remember those who were affected and continue to be affected by the tragic events of May 11, 1985. This act of remembrance is so poignant each year.” In January, the Independent Police Complaints Commission ruled that there would be no investigation into potential police misconduct in relation to the tragedy. This came after claims by Martin Fletcher, whose father, brother, uncle and grandfather died in the blaze and who wrote a new book about his experiences.
This act of remembrance is so poignant each year. Geoff Reid, Lord Mayor of Bradford.