Sir Oliver Popplewell trashes claims that the #BradfordCityFire was 'no accident' on @lizgreenlive

The judge who chaired the inquiry into a fire at Bradford City, which killed 56 people, has said claims it was started deliberately are "nonsense". A new book claims the fire was just one of at least nine fires at businesses owned or associated with the then chairman Stafford Heginbotham. Sir Oliver Popplewell said he stood by his verdict the fire at Valley Parade was an accident. Author Martin Fletcher lost three generations of his family in the fire. Mr Fletcher, who was 12 at the time of the blaze, claims to have uncovered evidence Mr Heginbotham was in dire financial trouble at the time and has called for a fresh inquiry. Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, Sir Oliver said: "I'm sorry to say what is obviously a very good story, I'm afraid is nonsense for many reasons." He added: "As far as I'm concerned we conducted our inquiries perfectly properly."