Blame apportioned in soccer stand fire
NZPA-PA London *<s million) could be paid out to those bereaved and maimed by the Bradford soccer ground fire disaster after a court ruling on who was to blame. In a test case brought by a woman who lost her husband, son and two other family members, a deputy High Court judge, Sir Joseph Cantiey, decided the football club had to shoulder two-thirds of the onus. It took no action over warnings that rubbish accumulating under stand seats was a fire hazard.
Eventually, a lighted match or cigarette ignited the pile, leading to the
juries.
The rest of the blame was apportioned to the now abolished West Yorkshire County Council, but the health and safety executive was cleared of any responsibility for the tragedy in May, 1985. The way is now clear for a multi-mlUion pound settlement of the biggest civil action in Britain, with 110 civilians and .44 police officers bringing claims.
The judgment particularly referred to the case taken out by Mrs Susan Fletcher, aged 34, with her surviving son, Martin, aged 12, after losing her
in-law and his father.
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Press, 26 February 1987, Page 22
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188Blame apportioned in soccer stand fire Press, 26 February 1987, Page 22
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