Dick Cann, 58, remained quiet all these years, frightened he would face prosecution or be forced to pay compensation if he spoke out.

But the former ballboys supervisor has now admitted that he forgot to switch off an electric fire under Carrow Road's wooden main stand after a reserve game.

He thought about returning that night to unplug it, but eventually stayed home. The next day he awoke to learn the stand was a smouldering ruin.

A replacement cost £1.7million and Norwich lost a fortune due to lower attendances while it was being built.

Dick said: "I decided to speak out with the 20th anniversary approaching. I was scared to tell the truth before. I thought they would come after me for the money. This is a weight off my mind."

Norwich City chief executive Neil Doncaster said Mr Cann's revelations were interesting

But he added: "It is only one possible explanation for the cause of the fire. It doesn't have any ramifications for the club where it is at the moment. It is mainly of historic interest to our fans now."

Station officer Graham Joy, who fought the blaze, said: "We would never open the investigation again. The building has now gone and so has the evidence."