A poignant documentary marking 40 years since the Bradford City stadium fire will debut in May 2025, offering personal reflections and vital lessons for future generations.

27 November 2024

The Bradford City stadium fire, which occurred on 11 May 1985, claimed 56 lives and left over 260 injured during a match between Bradford City and Lincoln City at Valley Parade. The forthcoming film, titled Unforgotten: The Bradford City Fire, will spotlight survivors, families of victims, and first responders, many sharing their experiences publicly for the first time.

The wooden stand, engulfed in flames within minutes, had been condemned and scheduled for demolition. A discarded cigarette is believed to have triggered the tragedy. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the stand in just four minutes. This devastating event led to significant changes in stadium safety regulations, including the banning of smoking in wooden stands and the introduction of stricter safety standards across football grounds in the UK.

The documentary aims to preserve the memory of the event and highlight the resilience of the Bradford community in the aftermath of the disaster. It will explore how the tragedy shaped the sport, the city, and the importance of continually improving safety measures.

The project will also examine the broader challenges of commemorating such events in a respectful way while ensuring the lessons learned are passed on to future generations.

Set to debut in May 2025, the film will serve as a tribute to those affected and a reminder of the critical importance of fire safety.

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