BRADFORD CITY FIRE: Home office to consider new call for Valley Parade disaster inquiry

The discussions follow a call for an inquiry by Martin Fletcher, who lost three generations of his family in tragedy in May, 1985, and earlier this year wrote a controversial book about his research into its cause.

Fifty-four Bradford City supporters died in the fire, along with two Lincoln City fans, and more than 200 people were taken to hospital, many with terrible burns.

In a 20-page letter sent by Mr Fletcher’s solicitors to Ms May last month, the campaigner calls for the commission of an independent review, similar to the Hillsborough Independent Panel, and asks for an apology into alleged failures of the original investigation.

He also highlights alleged new evidence about the conduct of West Yorkshire Police, repeats his assertion that the possibility of arson was never properly explored, and also details alleged failings by the West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority (WYFRA).

In reply, Ms May said: "The case you outline in your letter is complex and wide-ranging, and requires me to consult with Ministers from other Government departments to ensure you and your client receive an appropriate response.

"You will therefore receive a fuller response to your letters in due course."

Mr Fletcher's book, 56 - The Story of the Bradford Fire, claims at least eight other fires at business premises owned by, or connected to, then-Bradford City chairman Stafford Heginbotham, who died in 1995, which resulted in major insurance payouts.

And he questioned why the possibility of arson as a cause of the blaze - officially blamed on a dropped cigarette setting fire to rubbish accumulated under the stand - was never considered.

But one of Mr Heginbotham's sons, Simon, tonight told the Telegraph & Argus he had conducted his own research into the fires Mr Fletcher raised concerns about at his father's business.

He said he found "nothing substantial" and would be happy to sit down with Mr Fletcher and "have a discussion about the fires".

On Mr Fletcher's calls for a new inquiry, Mr Heginbotham said: "It is something to sell a few more books, basically, or for financial gain. I would be be shocked if Theresa May opens up a Government investigation.

"I really do believe it is a load of nonsense. I have had a belly-full of all this."

He said Mr Fletcher appeared to have a personal vendetta against his father.

"I am fed up. The first time round it was embarrassing enough. There is no way in the world that he would ever do anything as ridiculous as that, with people involved, in a football stadium, for any amount of money or anything," Mr Heginbotham added.

"He loved that club. It is absolute, total and utter rubbish."

The T&A was not able to contact Mr Fletcher for a response.

Raymond Falconer, who, as a detective inspector with the Major Crime Unit in 1985 and part of the fire investigation team, again defended the probe which took place in 1985.

Mr Falconer said he interviewed and took a statement from an elderly fan who it was thought accidentally started the fire by dropping a cigarette butt, which fell through a hole in the floor of the wooden stand before he could stub it out.

The man raised the alarm but the fire had already taken hold.

Mr Falconer, now retired, said today: "I still stand by the fullness and integrity of the investigation and I am convinced that the investigation uncovered the truth on how the fire started.

"It was a thorough, searching and professional investigation."

Mr Fletcher also questions the conduct of West Yorkshire Police on the day of the tragedy, including its actions in ordering the evacuation of G Block into the stand's rear corridor, where most people died.

He also claims the police failed to allow the evacuation on to the pitch for three minutes 15 seconds after the fire started.

And he questions why the force considered itself suitable to lead an impartial investigation.

Last Friday, West Yorkshire Police said it had voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) about its role in dealing with the tragedy.

An IPCC spokesman said: "The IPCC has received a referral, from West Yorkshire Police, regarding police action during the 1985 Bradford City fire and the police investigation that followed.

"The IPCC will now consider this referral before making a decision as to whether it should be investigated."

Mr Fletcher's letter to Ms May also claims there was "insufficient time" between the fire and the opening of the inquiry on June 5, 1985, to allow proper investigations to be undertaken.

He also criticises WYFRA's actions on the day and says it is unclear why the WYFRA was considered a "suitably impartial brigade" to conduct the fire investigation and support West Yorkshire Police.

It alleges there were "obvious failures" by WYFRA.

A WYFRA spokesman said: "West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority has been made aware of the contents of the letter.

"We will assist with any further inquiries should they be made of us."

The Home Office would not comment on the possibility of an inquiry and a spokesman added: "We do not routinely comment on private correspondence."

Meanwhile, an online petition calling for there to be no new investigation has been signed by more than 700 people.

James Mackenzie, who started the campaign asking Theresa May not to start a fresh inquiry, was a nine-year-old boy who was plucked from the fire-hit stand.

The 40-year-old, of Haworth, said he started the petition because he wanted to strike a balance.

"The vast majority of column inches are about having a new inquiry," he said. "There are a lot of people that don't want it re-opened.

"I immediately knew that I had to help the other Bradford City fans to get a voice of the vast majority.

"The vast, vast majority of them are still dealing with the issues of that day and do not want the wounds re-opened, and do not want to revisit that day.

"I just thought I could do something in a very small way for those people frustrated at not getting their opinion across.

"I set it up to reflect the view of the people of Bradford."

He said it was "really important" that fans had the opportunity to speak to Ms May and Bradford West Labour Naz Shah, who has met with Mr Fletcher and his legal representatives, before any decision was made.

Mr Mackenzie added: "I feel Martin Fletcher's pain and I am deeply sorry for his loss, as I am deeply sorry for the losses of everyone else.

"I cannot imagine, even being there, the horror and pain and heartache that he has been through for the last 30 years."

On the fire, Mr Mackenzie said: "We know it was an accident, and it was a horrible accident."

His online petition, on the change.org website, needs a total of 1,000 signatures for it to be discussed in the Houses of Parliament.

A Bradford City spokesman said the club did not want to make a comment.