900 Degrees

Saturday the 11th of May 1985 was supposed to be a day of celebration for the fans of Bradford City AFC. They’d just clinched the Division Three title and the last game of the season against Lincoln City was set to be a lap of honour.But as half time approached, faint wisps of smoke appeared from the Main Stand of Valley Parade. They quickly turned to visible orange flames. The carnival atmosphere quickly took a turn as the flames grew. In just over four minutes, the entire stand was ablaze. It’s estimated that temperatures reached 900 degrees celsius.While many fans survived by escaping onto the pitch, 56 didn’t. But despite it being one of the deadliest events in football history, the fire at Valley Parade has faded somewhat into obscurity.Investigative journalist, Mobeen Azhar, speaks to those who were at the ground that fateful day, to get a sense of the tragedy. From police officers, to the radio commentator, we hear the shocking details of one of the worst days in football history. 900 Degrees is a What's The Story original podcast series. What's The Story are the leaders in premium true-crime podcasts and audio story-telling.The whole series of 900 Degrees is available to listen to on What's The Story? Crime - your new home for compelling true crime content. On there you'll get all episodes of 900 Degrees ad-free, as well as access to the best true-crime series like Smoking Gun and The Missing, bonus episodes, early access and exclusive series you can't hear anywhere else.If you listen on Apple Podcasts, simply search for 'Crime Corner'. Or if you're on Spotify, or any other platform, just click HERE, and set up What's The Story? Crime on your chosen platform.What's The Story? Crime costs less than a cup of coffee, and helps ensure we can make more series like this one.

Chapter 2 - The InquiryAs the Sunday papers went to press, the British public wanted answers. How could a fire so tragic have happened? Why were so many lives needlessly lost?The locals of Bradford and the victims’ families were especially keen to know, as rumours were now circulating.Mobeen speaks to those who followed the aftermath of the fire closely as he seeks to understand how those in authority reacted to the devastating events.Shortly after the fire, Margaret Thatcher’s Government established an inquiry. It would be led by the High Court judge, Sir Oliver Popplewell. We hear from him and others in attendance about how the fire was said to have started.There are some who are critical of how the inquiry was run. Was it too fast? Was its scope broad enough? Crucially, were its conclusions correct? 900 Degrees is a What's The Story original podcast series. What's The Story are the leaders in premium true-crime podcasts and audio story-telling.

Mobeen goes to meet a fan who has some lingering questions about the true nature of the Bradford City Fire.Martin Fletcher was just 12 years old when he and four members of his family went to watch his beloved football team play on the 11th of May 1985. He tells Mobeen how he came to fall in love with the club and how that day came to totally alter the course of his life.Martin has a tragic memory of the day itself. But something his mum told him years after the fire has prompted him to revisit the details of the tragedy, time and time again.His conclusion? There’s been a massive miscarriage of justice. 900 Degrees is a What's The Story original podcast series. What's The Story are the leaders in premium true-crime podcasts and audio story-telling.

Bradford City has had a tumultuous history. For decades before the fire in ‘85, the club had lingered in the lower leagues of English football. But they may have ceased to exist at all. For many fans, the fact they are still a club today is down to one man: Stafford Heginbotham.Mobeen goes in search of those who remember the club’s enigmatic chairman. Even to this day, fans still regard him as a hero.But we hear how in fact there may be reasons to question his hero status. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, Heginbotham’s media appearances only added mystery to the tragedy.And Mobeen discovers that the fire at Bradford’s stadium was by no means the chairman’s first. Fire at Heginbotham premises had occurred multiple times, and as it turns out, some thought his history of fires was the joke of the town. 900 Degrees is a What's The Story original podcast series. What's The Story are the leaders in premium true-crime podcasts and audio story-telling.

The inquiry which examined the Bradford City Stadium Fire didn't name anybody as being responsible for starting the blaze. But it did find that the fire was started accidentally - likely via a dropped cigarette.But how strong was the evidence? And did the investigation look into any of Stafford Heginbotham's previous fires?Mobeen investigates the testimony from fans who were sitting right where the fire started. And we hear from a fire investigator who has some lingering questions about the inquiry’s conclusions.But in 2015, a retired police detective went on TV and told the watching public that he found the man who admitted dropping the cigarette that started the fire. Case closed? Well - not quite. Mobeen uncovers some startling gaps and counter-claims which question this version of events. And he unpacks a paradox, where not everyone can be telling the truth.900 Degrees is a What's The Story original podcast series. What's The Story are the leaders in premium true-crime podcasts and audio story-telling.

There were countless heroes on the 11th of May 1985. Without the selfless actions of fellow fans, police officers and nurses, the death toll would have been even higher.Mobeen hears remarkable testimony detailing the heroics. But as his investigation deepens, he also discovers more evidence that questions the official conclusion of the inquiry.Why did fans report smelling a burning toxic rubber prior to the flames? Was Bradford City and its Chairman in financial trouble going into the new season? Were the doors unlocked that day as opposed to general policy? Was there evidence of foul play?A sinister theory begins to emerge. One that many think is beyond the pale.900 Degrees is a What's The Story original podcast series. What's The Story are the leaders in premium true-crime podcasts and audio story-telling.