After a 36-year quest, families hope for truth

The Stardust fire was worst tragedy of its kind to hit the country, writes Michael Clifford.

There is still dispute over how the fire was started. A tribunal of inquiry concluded that it was attributable to arson. Many of the injured and bereaved families don’t accept that.

The fire was first spotted around 1.40am. Two calls were made from within the nightclub about what was then thought to be a small fire. Within minutes, the flames has escalated, catching most of the 840 patrons inside unawares.