Memories of Bradford City fire shared in new project

People will be invited to share their recollections of the 1985 Bradford City fire for a new project by the University of Bradford.

Student Mia Coe will speak to survivors of the May 11, 1985 fire, friends and family of the 56 people who lost their lives, the emergency service workers who treated the 258 injured people and those who lived near Valley Parade, who opened their homes following the fire, for the project.

The findings may be used as tools and comfort for people living with dementia and historical trauma.

Mia said: “The fire is still felt so deeply in the community today. I was moved by going to the annual memorial service in Bradford.

“I want all the participants to be at the heart of my research, and what it will look like. It is using heritage and archaeology as a therapeutic means. 

“I also want to understand how Bradford has changed over the last 40 years since the fire.”

How the project will work

From September 2025, Mia will spend the first year of her near four-year PhD project studying Master’s modules in social sciences at the University of Bradford. From May 2026, she will recruit participants, who will then attend focus groups/workshops or one-to-one sessions to share their recollections of the fire.

These workshops will be designed as a space to discuss potential personalised future care plans based on their experiences with trauma.

Participants will also be encouraged to share objects important to them and offer their memories of what Bradford was like when they were growing up.

Mia started studying BSc Archaeology at the University of Bradford in 2019, staying on to complete a MA Archaeology and Identity.

Funded by the White Rose Social Sciences Doctoral Training Partnership, the work will be carried out by the University’s Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit (PSBRU) and the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences.

Dr Kirsten Riches-Suman, Associate Professor of Biomedical Science at the University of Bradford, said: “The PSBRU is delighted to be supporting Mia with this important work.

“While the clinical research in our unit is dedicated to improving burn and wound care in the here and now, this project will help us to understand how we can further advocate for the people who were affected by the tragedy 40 years ago.

“We are very grateful for the continual support from the people of Bradford, and this project provides another way in which we can give back to the community.”

Karina Croucher, Professor of Archaeology, Heritage and Wellbeing at the University of Bradford, and Mia’s principal supervisor on the project, said: “We are delighted to support this important research which feeds into the growing use of archaeology and heritage for wellbeing today, exploring how the past can be used to positively impact communities.” 

Helping others

An exhibition in Bradford will be created on the findings, featuring some of the participants’ accounts of the fire and their mementos. 

Mia will invite care workers to the final exhibition to explore if the project’s findings can help people living with dementia and historical trauma.

The work is being supported by Bradford City AFC, the Bradford City Community Foundation and Bradford District Museums & Galleries. 

For more information, or if anyone is interested in taking part in the project, email Mia at M.N.Coe@bradford.ac.uk

Bradford City AFC supporters will further share their memories of the club at a University project launch later this month.

The University of Bradford Stadium will host the launch of ‘Stories from Valley Parade’ on Sunday 22 June between 10:00 and 14:00. Academics have created a digital copy of the University of Bradford Stadium, traditionally known as Valley Parade, which people can explore through Virtual Reality.