When you go to a sporting event, you typically aren't expecting a fire. A majority of sports arenas have a rigid system in place designed to protect the patrons in the event of a fire. Yet, on any given day, there could be a combination of incidental events that could create the perfect storm for a fire to start. Any time you're at a sporting event - anything from your child's little league game all the way up to the Super Bowl, it's wise to be aware of fire risks and keep an eye out for potential dangers. Today, we're going to take a look at a tragic fire that broke out at an outdoor soccer stadium in Bradford, England and take some cues.
The fire we are discussing today occurred on May 11, 1985. On what would have been an ordinarily uneventful Saturday at the stadium, tragically, 56 individuals lost their lives and more than 300 sustained injuries. In a section that held 5,000 people, a fire ignited underneath the grandstand. The cause of the fire was a result of trash and debris that had piled up under the wooden bleachers. It is believed that a smoking material, such as a cigarette, was tossed underneath, which set the trash on fire.
Those who were closest to that area noticed the fire and moved away. However, the people who were seated in the farthest areas of the grandstand continued to watch the game without knowing what was taking place right underneath them. Video footage from the event revealed that the fire spread 290 feet, the length of the grandstand, in less than 5 minutes.
Once the attendees realized that there was a fire, many escaped to the playing field, hurdling right over the physical barriers, quickly realizing that they couldn't use the rear exits. Unfortunately, while the stadium was equipped with a PA system, it was not put into use, which caused delays in the spectators being aware of the fire and being instructed to evacuate. Another liability in this incident was that the stadium was not equipped with automatic sprinklers nor a standpipe system. Four minutes was all it took for the situation to go from smoke to 5-foot flames. As the smoke began to fill the section, in just 5 minutes, the flames were hitting the roof.
Five minutes.While situations like this are rare and unlikely, it really is the responsibility of every person attending a sporting event to know where the exits are and the best route to them should an emergency occur. Once a tragic event is in motion, it's usually too late. It's also important to be aware of what's going on around you, including seeing smoke or people with cigarettes. If you see a sports complex that looks like it's not well-maintained or appears to be run down, you may want to think again about attending events there.
If you happen to be an owner or manager of a sports arena of any size, you have the critical responsibility to see that your facility is compliant with fire safety regulations and up to code.
At Certified Flameproofing, we're committed to fire prevention and protection. We know just how fast a devastating fire could ignite, and through our flameproofing treatments for businesses, we are pleased to play a role in keeping NYC and the Greater Metro area protected from the threat of fires. If you have questions or flameproofing needs, please call today. We would be happy to speak with you as well as offer a free, no-obligation flameproofing estimate for your business: 800-590-5530