![]() The fire escalated very rapidly, and flames became visible police started to evacuate the stand. ![]() His call was misheard, and instead the fire brigade were radioed. A police officer shouted to a colleague for an extinguisher. ![]() Spectators later spoke of initially feeling their feet becoming warmer one of them ran to the back of the stand for a fire extinguisher but found none. The stand seats did not have risers this had allowed a large accumulation of rubbish and paper waste in the cavity space under the stand, which had not been cleared for many months. One witness saw paper or debris on fire, about nine inches (230 mm) below the floor boards. By the time they got back, the whole thing had taken off." But a minute or so later there was suddenly a bigger whoosh of smoke so they went to get a steward. A minute later he saw a small plume of smoke so he poured his coffee on it and so did his son. It slipped through a hole in the floorboard. He lit a cigarette and when it was coming to an end he put it down on to the floorboard and tried to put his foot on it to put it out. Helm described the start of the fire in an interview to the Express newspaper: "a man over from Australia visiting his son got two tickets to the game. At 3:44 pm, five minutes before half-time, the first sign of a fire-a glowing light-was noticed three rows from the back of block G, as reported by TV commentator John Helm. The match kicked off at 3:04 pm and after 40 minutes of the first half, the score remained 0–0, in what was described as a drab affair with neither team threatening to score. Bradford City continues to support the burns unit at the University of Bradford as its official charity. It was also a catalyst for the substantial redevelopment and modernisation of many British football grounds within the following thirty years. The disaster led to rigid new safety standards in UK stadiums, including the banning of new wooden grandstands. There were many cases of heroism, with more than fifty people receiving police awards or commendations. In the panic that ensued, fleeing crowds had to break down locked exits to escape, and many were burnt to death at the turnstiles, which were also locked. At 3.40 pm, a small fire was reported by TV commentator John Helm, but in less than four minutes, in windy conditions, it had engulfed the whole stand, trapping some people in their seats. The match against Lincoln City had started in a celebratory atmosphere, with the home-team receiving the Football League Third Division trophy. The stand had been officially condemned and was due for demolition. Warnings had also been given about a major build-up of litter just below the seats. The Valley Parade stadium, long-established home to Bradford City Football Club, had been noted for its antiquated design and facilities, including the wooden roof of the main stand. It occurred during a league match in front of record numbers of spectators, on Saturday,, killing 56 and injuring at least 265. The Bradford City stadium fire was the worst fire disaster in the history of football.
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