Bradford City fire disaster: Tributes paid to fireman who saved lives

Joe and Eunice were married for 65 years

Tributes have been paid to a "tremendous" former firefighter who helped save lives during the Bradford City fire disaster.

Joe Greig, who died aged 89 last month, was one of the first responders on scene at Valley Parade on 11 May 1985.

He was later awarded the British Empire Medal for his actions that day.

His son Paul described his father as "very humble" and said he died of a "broken heart" following the death of Eunice, his wife of 65 years, in April.

Mr Greig's funeral will take place at St James' Church, Thornton, on Friday.

After completing National Service, he joined West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue in 1963 and was based at Bradford Central Fire Station during his 25-year career with the service, rising to the position of sub-officer.

Joe Greig joined the fire service in 1963 after completing National Service

Mr Greig, from Thornton, had been out fulfilling routine duties on the day of the tragedy when he noticed plumes of smoke before the incident had been reported to the fire service, Paul said.

His six-man crew was the first to reach the stadium, where Mr Greig yanked open a door to save supporters trying to escape.

In the process, he broke his ribs and tore muscles in his chest and back.

His station officer, Alan Jones, visited him in hospital that evening. Before he could ask how he was, he was inundated with questions from Mr Greig about the firefighting operation.

"That's the sort of guy he was," said Mr Jones.

"He was well-respected and ran his shift like clockwork.

"He was just a super guy. He was a tremendous firefighter as well."

Fifty-six people died in the fire, which injured more than 250 others

Mr Greig's son said his father reluctantly accepted his medal and paid tribute to his colleagues when he received it.

"My dad always insisted it was a team," he said.

"All his brothers on the watch should have had a medal."

"He was very humbled by it and all he could say was 'This is for Green Watch'," added Mr Jones.

A club representative from Bradford City will attend his funeral along with a representative from the British Legion.

The funeral cortège will pass by Fairweather Green Fire Station, where it will be joined by fire crews who will pay tribute to one of their own.

"It will be a glorious event and the best that we could possibly give him," said his son Paul.