Some people might find it hard to believe that it is a full quarter of a century since the devastating events of Saturday, May 11, 1985 at Valley Parade.

The terrible fire that claimed the lives of 56 people and injured scores more is ingrained on the psyche of Bradford.

The fire swiftly drew the attention of the world, and the terror of that day brought in its aftermath changes to the safety procedures in English football to ensure such scenes would never be repeated.

In the intervening 25 years, the world has moved on, as it does, and it is only at significant anniversaries such as this that thoughts turn back to Bradford and that Saturday afternoon.

Here in Bradford, though, the fire has never been forgotten. Through the simple annual services the dead are quietly honoured, and the city keeps them in its thoughts.

As Bradford’s local newspaper, we know just how deep feelings run about the fire. We took a decision many years ago not to republish the painful photographs of the events as they happened, and not to allow other media to use our archive.

That does not mean that the fire, especially on an anniversary as this, should not be marked, though. In this commemorative supplement, we hope to tell as tastefully and simply as possible the stories of people who were there, and those who lost their loved ones.

We also present, if such a thing is possible, a ray of hope to come from the horror – the foundation of Bradford’s Burns Unit and the recent fundraising appeal to allow the unit to continue the good work it began that dreadful day.

We hope you will join us, via this commemoration, in a moment of quiet contemplation of those who died, or who survived but were scarred mentally or physically, in the Bradford City fire.