On this day - 11 May

On May 11th 1985 a fire broke out in the Valley Parade football stadium during a match between Bradford City and Lincoln City. The stadium was old and hadn't been altered beyond repairs since its construction had finished in 1911. It featured a lot of wood, particularly in the ceiling of the structure.

A cigarette that wasn't fully put out fell between the gaps in the wooden flooring and rubbish that had accumulated beneath the stands quickly caught fire. Windy conditions meant the fire spread quickly. The turnstile gates were locked once the match began and led to many people being trapped. 56 spectators of the match died. The disaster led to new safety standards with a ban on new wooden grandstands.