The fire that defined race relations in Britain | Uprising - BBC

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Watch the BBC first on iPlayer 👉 bbc.in/iPlayer... On 18 January 1981, a devastating fire in London’s New Cross Road took the lives of 13 young black people. The aftermath defined race relations in Britain.
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[@chris7921]

A survivor from this tragic event has even come forward recently saying he doesn’t believe it was a racist attack, Wayne Haynes said there was no way anyone would have got into the house unnoticed and started the fire, fire experts believe firmly the fire somehow started inside, nothing was thrown in, not even petrol bombed. Sometimes when horrific things happen, people want to blame others because the truth is somehow more tragic, the same could be said for the Kings Cross underground fire in 1987 which killed 31 people, many people recalled seeing a strange man who looked out of place near stationed off area on the underground, when the truth was, it was someone who lite a cigarette on the escalator and dropped a match which started the fire beneath the escalators. I believe it was just a tragic and horrific accident

[@93seronica]

I’m a West Indian American and I just recently learned about this tragedy. It’s so sad what happened to these young people. My heart goes out to the victim’s families and friends.

[@myrescuecats3028]

I work with Jackie one of the woman who’s daughter died in this fire. She was a really wonderful Lady I was so sad for her.

[@petermartin2924]

Sadly cant’t find anything positive to say about the other Jackie (the vile old police dinosaur cop grinning away as she dismisses any silly thoughts racially motivated hate crime , talking about this despicable racially motivated slaughter without an ounce of empathy

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

@@petermartin2924 It's an undeniable fact that the fire started inside the house with an armchair. Unfortunately, somebody had also dropped nail polish on the carpet and tried to clean it up with paint thinner so once that caught, the front room went up like a torch. As for who started the fire, whether deliberate or accidental (a dropped cigarette, for example), either no-one knew, no-one came forward or maybe they even died in the fire themselves.

[@DarkAngel2512]

@@petermartin2924 one of the ppl from the party said it wasnt racist and even a MET officer above has stated it wasnt as his friends were working on the case at the time and knew the fire started from inside. Stop race-baiting. It makes black ppl look bad.

[@Mute040404]

This Happened on a busy highway (A2) where cars, buses & taxis pass all night on the way back from London nightlife. No one saw anything suspicious outside.

[@keithwilliams1243]

The woman at eight seconds in "They are burning our children" This woman is a bare faced liar, nobody is burning your children except perhaps your own people who started the fire.

[@williammohan9784]

I was an officer in the Met when this happened and had mates who were in the investigation for ages. They knew from the start that the fire had been started from inside the premises, but the politics of the time had to find a racist slant.

[@myutuber100]

Tbh you were probably racist your self

[@LiClan]

@@myutuber100why not ask questions instead of jumping on the bandwagon wagon with no evidence. Could this fire have been started from the inside? Are there activists who will use a tragedy for their advantage?

[@myutuber100]

Most Met Police in those days were racist so…

[@93seronica]

Yvonne and Paul look like they could’ve been my brother and sister, it’s so sad what happened. I wasn’t alive in 1981 and I’m not British but I am of Caribbean descent so this feels personal to me.

[@klanzadumas2962]

It's wasn't a racist attack. You shouldn't be so easily led up the garden path.

[@alfimate3712]

My grandfather was one of the firefighters that night

[@AutumnalSunests]

I only heard of this tragedy today after listening to Jeremy Vine interviewing survivors on BBC Radio 2. I am a white woman from the Midlands and in 1981 I was 16, the same age as many of those who died. I am ashamed I was not even aware this had happened, I don`t remember ever hearing of it, why...I can`t say, but I am so very sorry, firstly that this terrible fire happened and equally for the heartless and hapless way it was investigated and the total lack of respect and care shown to the bereaved families and those who lived with the harrowing effects of witnessing it. Such a waste of young lives and still no one held accountable for mass murder, because that is exactly what it was.

[@craigk621]

Mass murder by ?

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

This is not what happened, by the way. We know exactly how the fire started, it was from within the house and it was an armchair in the front room. This might not have been a problem except for the fact that somebody had dropped nail varnish on the carpet and, presumably in a panic, tried to use paint thinner to clean it up so the whole front room went up like a torch. The rumour of someone throwing a Molovov was discounted by two separate forensic examinations. The reason the cops couldn't find out what happened was either the perpetrator died in the fire and nobody knew or they were being lied to.

[@craigk621]

@@The_Mighty_Fiction Exactly, I'm glad someone actually bothered to look at what Butler said in his summary, and the updated forensics proving what you have said. Sad that the BBC want to promote a different story, when even the Guardian couldn't dispute the findings.

[@joncullen5382]

167 men perished on the Piper Alpha platform in 1988 . No played the race card 🙄

[@joncullen5382]

@@craigk621 a cigarette and paint thinner.

[@maggieedwards3951]

Years later 40 years later we stand in the new revelations that a man made a confession which he allegedly recanted , 12 years before the Stephen Lawrence tragedy , there was the New Cross fire , so the mindset of living Daily with this racist mindset was entrenched , If there was a confession after 40 alleged taped interviews , why did he recant that statement ? What happened to that line of enquiry ?

[@jamesbedukodjograham5508]

When the UK Royal family did not hire people of Color till about the 1960s The leading families should have started hiring Black people to instill in white people respect for Black people. The National front is still alive and well within the UK. This story stated back in the 1970s way before the Stephen Lawrence tragedy.

[@jamesbedukodjograham5508]

We are all humans so why do white people still discriminate against other ethnic Groups,

[@roseyedwards3140]

😢💔 The Fire devastated lives, separated families and loved ones and left many walking wounded with some scars not easily visible to the naked eye. To watch helplessly the struggles, the lived nightmares of siblings and friends who survived for years without any proferred counselling for their trauma...😭 Yeah I cry still 41 years later, I scream I curse and I wail for this wound cannot heal...💔

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

It wasn't a confession. Michael Smithyman claimed ten years later that when he was fourteen, he and a friend tried to gatecrash the party, that they were refused entry and that his _friend_ started the fire for spite. The problem is that directly contradicts the forensic evidence showing the fire was started _inside the house._ How could he have started the fire from inside the house if they weren't let in in the first place? Smithyman told this story while he was inside for killing his pregnant girlfriend, so it's far more likely to me that this walking shitbag was fishing for a reduced sentence for volunteering 'information.'

[@DarkAngel2512]

@@jamesbedukodjograham5508 NF are a insignificant minority of people that are quite irrelavant to everyday British people and how they view other races.

[@jhunt5578]

Some of the comments under this video aptly show that Britain has not dealt with its racist past and present.

[@Erhuero]

Of cause not I would and if anyone thinks it’s all rosy they need to wake up!

[@apathyintheuk265]

Why? Because some people have the 'temerity' to challenge the myth (lies) that the fire was started with racial intent? The fire was started by at least one black person (only black people were in attendance at the party) It has been suggested possibly they were the actions of a gatecrasher who was ejected, either that or an act of foolish mischief making from a party guest. One thing is for certain - There was no 'fire bombing' from outside the house. Why has the racist narrative perpetuated for four decades? Why?

[@roseyedwards3140]

@jh5578 Thank you 🕊🌹

[@roseyedwards3140]

@@apathyintheuk265 were you there?

[@apathyintheuk265]

@@roseyedwards3140 Why do you ask? If I wasn't should that mean I have no right to express my view based on evidence and witness statements? I take it you were?

[@glennhedgebeth8069]

I'm an American. I was listening to Eddy Grant Electric Avenue. I remember it had something to do with the Brixton Riots of 1981. So here is me jumping down the rabbit hole.

[@stefanoseverini3133]

Last Brixton riot was black racist tugs vs. innocent white citizenship. It was more evident than the last four before beside no one wanted to admit it. Not all whites mugged, beaten and had to leave Brixton.....neither any tabloids or BBC. What a wonderful life. I still don't understand what we have done to deserve accusations plus covering up of so many crimes done by those types of gangs. Who knows....knows..........😢

[@LiClan]

@@stefanoseverini3133what year was that? I have seen evidence to suggest it was anti white but I’d like to hear your version of events

[@Rosquilliam2]

Wow. I'm a black American and I'm just learning about this today. Truly hurts.

[@Rosquilliam2]

@Temporal Fascist that is a fact! It’s just interesting to see the similarities…but like you said, “what did you expect before?”

[@craigk621]

@@Rosquilliam2 Its not a fact and although yes there was more racial tension in those days the implication that the fire was started by a fire-bomb thrown by whites has been debunked. A tragic accident of course, but not a racially motivated murder.

[@jennifermaharaj3551]

I think that Britain is one of the least racist countries and there will always be those who have racist issues,I don't agree with what is happening now with the illegal immigrants,the authorities are lax,Britain cannot be an open house.

[@Rosquilliam2]

@@craigk621 I gathered some of that from the segment. Tragic AF

[@Rosquilliam2]

@@craigk621 so, the title of the clip slightly race baiting?

[@truthhitman7473]

0:10 Racism 5:04 Racism

[@bgreene952]

Denial is a state of inferiority.

[@louisebrown103]

Its sad that young life was lost. These familes and friends deseve justice i hope 1 day thye get it.

[@craigk621]

How would they get justice exactly?

[@louisebrown103]

@@craigk621 by someone being found guilty od the crimr

[@craigk621]

@@louisebrown103 thats not gonna happen, as no one in the house is going to come forward. They never did, and anyway it may have been an accident, hence the open verdict. Maybe read my long post.

[@peggyhand7215]

Yes,I confirm.

[@amyeastham7939]

Confirmed!

[@stephenholmes1036]

Not a word about Northern Ireland were may Catholics didn't have the vote until the mid to late 1970s. This was under both a 6 counties government and a British one! Yet the BBC forget that YET AGAIN!

[@mrwideboy]

Ffs they are human beings.

[@walsingham-xxiii]

Indeed, and they should be respected by the truth of this awful disaster, not by the national broadcaster omitting evidence which does not suit their political agenda.

[@conniejennings3391]

Yes,I confirm.

[@peggyhand7215]

Yes,I confirm.

[@amyeastham7939]

Confirmed!

[@catherinemiller6400]

Yes, I am still interested

[@cedriclynch]

I can clearly remember the BBC Radio 1 news that morning. The news reader said "A spokesman from the Fire Brigade said that the fire was caused by a petrol bomb".

[@judithhand4987]

1981 is not long ago, to me. I was startled, expecting it to proceed American race upheavals. Like America, no one charged. Oh, geez....Yes, I'm a Yank.

[@craigk621]

Judith, it was caused by an armchair being set alight in the house, either accidentally or purposefully by one / some of the party goers. No one was charged because no one would come forward. Ive shown the result of the coroners inquest in a separate post, no outside fire-bomb by anyone of any race. A tragic accident, and I'm sure whoever started it didn't anticipate or want it to end that way. Always worth looking behind the headlines.

[@judithhand4987]

I see I've written "proceed" when it should've been precede. So much for honor!

[@craigk621]

@@judithhand4987 honor 🤦‍♂️....

[@conniejennings3391]

Yes,I confirm.

[@haroldkeller4593]

Confirmed!

[@DarkAngel2512]

It had nothing to do with racism. Kids had a party and a fire started, most likely by one of the kids themselves. It was a tragedy but this was not racism.

[@StrobeSteppa]

And where is your proof?..

[@BlueBoroughAllstars]

🧐

[@DarkAngel2512]

@@StrobeSteppa Im not the one who made the claim. If individuals think it was started by some racists they need to prove that. Ppl even accused police of racism for not finding a culprit. How could they? They werent there at the time. There was no evidence to link anyone to it. A fire started on a chair by some acetone (prob from nail polish remover) and a cigeratte. Sorry, but the ppl screaming racism as fact in either case are ridiculous. And its the same old story. Same with The Peckham Thief. This ish is getting stale.

[@DarkAngel2512]

@@StrobeSteppa and apparently one of the victims said he didnt think it was a racist attack. Maybe research that as he was there. Its like ppl rioting over George Floyd being racist when it wasnt and the Floyd riots ended up getting hundreds of black people killed. That one was in America but still we have adopted much of their nonsense activism. The Mark Duggan riots in UK saw black and brown business and property destroyed. Activists are idiotic. The ones in this case even threatened to physically hurt police if they didnt find culprits. Its not on.

[@DarkAngel2512]

@@StrobeSteppa so KZbin deleted my comment. Those who claim it was racism carry the burden of proof

[@robruddock1575]

VERY INTERESTING! Who are these people speaking. 1 Pauls Ruddocks wife of 3 moths. 2 A sound system box box 3 A bogus relatives that shares the same name of the family home Actually has anyone ever asked where is the the family is and why they never had a say in this documentary?

[@patricksmart5673]

If this had been started deliberately someone would have turned the culprit in by now after 40 years. Some flammable liquid was spilt on the carpet in the living room, it started to burn, someone panicked and threw a bucket of water on it. We should all listen to fire prevention advice.

[@Rhythm973]

Well what do ya know. 40 years later They’ve found the culprit.

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

@@Rhythm973 No, they haven't. Michael Smithyman came forward ten years after the incident, claimed that he and an unnamed friend tried to crash the party, got turned away at the door and his _friend_ started the fire for spite. The fly in that ointment is that it directly contradicts the forensic evidence that shows the fire was started inside the house. How did he start the fire _inside_ the house if no-one let them in? Incidentally, this walking shitbag made these 'revelations' from jail where he'd been put for killing his pregnant girlfriend. It's my guess that he was fishing for a reduced sentence for volunteering 'information.'

[@iipandyxqueenii]

God… as a 13 year old I see the real world 🥺🥺🥺 it’s disgusting… society is just ugly

[@iipandyxqueenii]

@Eternal Ments what?! Jesus Christ 😳

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

This is what happened. Some girls spilt nail polish on the carpet, tried to remove it with paint thinner, an armchair caught fire and the front room went up like a torch. That's it. Whether it was accidental or deliberate, either no-one knows or will say, but it was someone inside the house.

[@iipandyxqueenii]

@@The_Mighty_Fiction That’s dumb tf 😭 But probably yeah damn..

[@klanzadumas2962]

@@iipandyxqueenii Try not to get wound up by fake news.

[@iipandyxqueenii]

@@klanzadumas2962i’m 16 now so i understand what u mean but you never know yk

[@smithandsuperdeadeyeofthew823]

This also happens here in America here were I live I'm also black I live in usa

[@mightymouse151]

Where can we watch this 3 part docu series "Uprising "

[@mightymouse151]

I found it on Amazon Prime.

[@dawn4444ify]

If you go to bbc iPlayer you’ll find all three episodes

[@lushlushchick7491]

Hmmm, something is fishy about the mother. Apparently she used to physically abuse her daughter (Dawn Ruddock) Both Amza Ruddock and her husband and called her N*ggers and used to abuse her. She apparently got kicked out at 16 so wasn’t apart of the family. In the uprising documentary - there was not enough outcry from her when she explains how she reacted when she first discovered the fire. Most parents would have screamed for their children, that’s the first thing. But she didn’t. Hmmm, quite strange. Their is also a mini clip I found online of her being interviewed (in 2004) because people were accusing her of knowing more than she let on. That’s just my views…

[@roseyedwards3140]

@Lushlush Chick 😢💔 thank you. I would love to speak to you🕊

[@Zlervo]

I also watched that interview from 2004.

[@nncyldn]

Well she's dead now so it doesn't matter.

[@hilarymiseroy3251]

Is this what June Sarpong is getting paid for?

[@DC65DC]

When will racism properly end 😔😪

[@craigk621]

When people step back and realise that they are being played. Obviously there are racist idiots in this world, but this was the not the result of a fire bomb by whites as implied. Just need to do some research and question these things.

[@Erhuero]

Don’t wait for that.

[@equinox95]

...."NEVER".

[@Zlervo]

Don't hold your breath.

[@keithwilliams1243]

When people like you stop whipping it up.

[@roychivers8134]

MET .... STILL PICKING ON YOUNG COLOURED YOUNGSTERS...EVEN TODAY....

[@securedcertification477]

Still calling this massacre a fire shows you the underlying issues remain the same...

[@12shankley]

Because the fire was a fire which could not have been started by someone outside the property some of those who survived have stated

[@msadrienafokoevents7122]

CSI Las Vegas was needed or the equivalent of( not being sarcastic) . Something strange happened that early morning at house 439 and it still painful to remember that terrible time

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

Someone who spilled nail varnish on the carpet tried to remove it with paint thinner, then after an armchair caught fire, the whole front room went up like a torch. That's exactly what happened. As to who or why, it may have been an accident, it may have been deliberate, but it was someone inside the house who never came forward, maybe among the perished. Whoever it was, I can't imagine they saw it turning out the way it did.

[@vincygarifuna]

@@The_Mighty_Fiction Stop tell lies

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

@@vincygarifuna Tell me where the lie is.

[@marywhite4857]

@@The_Mighty_Fiction Evidence? References?

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

@@marywhite4857 The forensic investigation at the time as well as a further inquest in 2004 which removed any shadow of a doubt. It's an undeniable fact that the fire started from that armchair inside the house. Anyone who tells you anything different is either mistaken or lying.

[@jannatufirdous9479]

13 dead nothing said....still nothing said... too many injustices have gone on...

[@klanzadumas2962]

Stop getting caught up in a hoax.

[@jannatufirdous9479]

@@klanzadumas2962what is the hoax?

[@keithwilliams1243]

You are a bare faced liar, plenty has been said and what injustice are you referring to?

[@LiClan]

@@jannatufirdous9479that it was White people who started the fire

[@cocoaorange1]

I was a young teen then, I recall during the wedding of Charles and Di, the comment or mentioned the riots.

[@MasterQuan808]

Wow jus saw the documentary on Amazon wtf🤬🤬🤬😡

[@jeesusmeesuss5247]

Sounds like either an accident or a false flag if I ever heard of one.

[@craigk621]

Accident or not, caused by a party goer , not the implied racist fire bomber as implied.

[@sabrinatirabassi3529]

You never heard one.

[@glendaashburn8770]

Many thanks!

[@catherinemiller6400]

Yes, I am still interested

[@rogerlewis3165]

Many thanks for your email

[@wagwanbennydj6003]

I remember this yet they say racism doesn't exist...

[@Ukbrummie]

Who is they?

[@junglelau9167]

@@Ukbrummie The R__al, The gov

[@glendaashburn8770]

Many thanks!

[@catherinemiller6400]

Yes, I am still interested

[@apathyintheuk265]

Of course racism still exists but this incident had nothing to do with racism. WAKE UP!

[@daddygrace253]

Downton Abby comes to my made when Blacks want to see Black characters in this series but blacks were invisible in England during that time period. I am keep hearing, racism doesn't exit in the United Kingdom as it does in the United States.

[@jonathanjonathan7386]

there were virtually NO blacks in the UK then

[@madgealfred613]

You can't make this stuff up

[@The_Mighty_Fiction]

Apparently, you can since this is almost entirely fiction. Two separate forensic investigations concluded that the fire started inside the house when an armchair caught, maybe deliberate, maybe a dropped cigarette, either no-one knows or will say. This might not have been too much of a problem except that someone had spilt nail varnish on the carpet and tried to clean it up with paint thinner. As a result, the front room went up like a torch. As to who or how the fire started, nobody has ever come forward, maybe because they really don't know, maybe they won't say or maybe they perished in he fire. Either way, this is a disgraceful lie manipulating a horrible tragedy and using dead children to reinforce a race-baiting narrative. It makes me sick.

[@Asarekojo]

You really can't.

[@buffalosoldier4045]

This is sad jus heard about this story why mainstream media not talking about rip to these young people souls

[@TsarOfTheStar]

I do not understand our species sometimes....

[@equinox95]

****** The media, especially the SUN and Ladywell/Deptford police.

[@davidleary9191]

Yardies are warriors

[@trojax44]

BBC YOU SHOULD BE VERY ASHAMED, STOP THE DIVISION, WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

[@roseyedwards3140]

What a stupid comment! The BBC are merely the propaganda arm of the corp orate entities that run this cuntry! Until the cognitive dissonance and white fragility of the exposed racist and racism of this country is fully exposed and acknowledged by the State, the agenda of division will continue...

[@chrisbrown3278]

More anger , more hatred . The bbc love to report this horror . To remind us of our division and separation . We must love each other for we are all equal regardless of colour , status , wealth or position . Let’s move forward together in love and stop watching the bbc

[@craigk621]

Especially when the implication of a white fire bomber is the opposite of actual events as the fire started inside the party according to forensic review.

[@sabrinatirabassi3529]

Yeah, right, let's forget it all. So one day someone will give an answer like the one before mine, and it will look all right...

[@sabrinatirabassi3529]

@@craigk621 In Italy we had policemen torturing students, and then reporting they were being attacked. We know how it works in this country. But still police have been sentenced guilty, who knows why...

[@craigk621]

@@sabrinatirabassi3529 In the Azzuri corruption rules no ?

[@peggyhand7215]

Yes,I confirm.

[@Kousaburo]

I wish I could see the Dislikes on this.

[@michael-g1c5p]

Mockery all in the name of justice.

[@fareedofficial4302]

🥺🥺

[@johnjain3887]

An 11 year old, at a party at 5:30am.... Great parenting.

[@Asarekojo]

Has it occurred to you that his parents were present? People love to talk for the sake of it!

[@klanzadumas2962]

@@Asarekojo Like the people playing the race card.

[@Consistentlycrazy]

Oh behave, it was a party

[@Dsouzzz]

❤️❤️

[@shangoherumaat7001]

Still no change🤬😡😞😔

[@madgealfred613]

Very wrong still the same.

[@andrewjameshenderson1389]

😔😪

[@jamesmccann355]

Race baiting...

[@Bhead69]

Who cares

[@greywolf5067]

Police don’t lie

[@riversdarrell2000]

You're joking right?

[@sbaby-kg8hn]

😂

[@Dirtyharry-f1e]

Thay need to get the horrible that done this it's so wrong thay are still out there

[@DarkAngel2512]

It was likely an accident. The fire was caused inside when a chair caught on fire on acetone that had been used to remove nail polish prob a cigeratte. It seems to have been a horroble accident.

[@LiClan]

Innocent white people shall not be blamed for an accident anymore. Stop pushing this madness