Main Street Fire of 1922
Copied from the Georgetown Herald June 14th 1922:
FINE BLOCK BURNED
J.N. O’Neill & Sons Premises Completely Wiped Out – W.A. Bailey’s Block Badly Damaged.
One of the worst fires in the history of Georgetown occurred on Saturday morning last, when J.N. O’Neill & Sons fine three storey brick block consisting of garage, carriage factory and blacksmith shop totally destroyed; W.A. Railey’s block consisting of harness store and workshop; H. C. Bailey’s electrical supplies and Oddfellow’s, Rebekah’s and Orangemen’s Lodge rooms were badly gutted and contents destroyed; and the plumbing and tinsmitting workshop of R. H. Thompson & Co., hardware in the rear of Anthony block, badly damaged; A.J. Blackburn, gent’s furnishings and tailoring damaged by smoke and water.
The fire was first noticed about a quarter to three by Miss Coleman, a telephone operator, who was working the switch board in the office just across the street. The reflection through the windows of the O’Neill block attracted her attention and she immediately called up Mr. O’Neill and gave the alarm. The firemen responded promptly, but the large building was a mass of flames in a few minutes. A stupendous task faced the boys, but they went to it, and under direction of Chief A. Tost and Deputy Chief Angus Duncan succeeded in getting the flames under control in about two hours. At first sight it looked as if the whole business portion of the town was domed and a call was sent out to Brampton firemen, Acton and Milton for assistance.
All three towns responded promptly with men and hose. Brampton firemen were the first to arrive with their big fire truck, having made the twelve miles in 85 minutes. The assistance of the outside firemen was much appreciated for they in turn relieved our firemen who had put up such a noble fight at the beginning and were responsible for the saving of much property. No body of firemen ever worked harder or more determined in the accomplishment if their task than did the Georgetown firemen, and no town is prouder of their Brigade than is Georgetown.
The outside firemen who assisted also done nobly and the citizens of Georgetown are truly grateful to them for their splendid co-operation with our brigade. Five lines of hose were laid and five streams of water played continuously on the burning buildings until the fire was under control. There was lots of water and splendid pressure which made it possible for the firemen to prevent further destruction. The firemen appreciated very much the hot tea, coffee and sandwiches served so generously by Mrs. O’Neill and other ladies in the vicinity of the fire. O’Neill & Son’s building and contents are a complete loss. Twenty-five automobiles were destroyed in the fire, twelve belonging to O’Neill & Sons, and the others were owned by the following: - G.C. Mackay, F. Kersey, Ed Wheeler, Blake Hume, Pettit Apiaries, L.F. Denison, W.G. Marshall; Fred Lyons, Cheltenham; Robert Stirratt, Glenwilliams; C Linham, Hamilton.
A horse belonging to Nr. Walter Anthony was burned in his stable. Fire Marshall Heaton, of Toronto, who happened to be in town, was an eye witness of the fire from the time the alarm was sounded until the end. He took occasion to see Chief Tost and congratulate him and his men on the able and efficient manner in which they had fought the flames and remarked that the city brigades had nothing on Georgetown fire fighters. Men are at work clearing away the debris and re-construction will be commenced at once by O’Neill & Son. W..H. Bailey abd H.C. Bailey have their front shop open again, while the other firms mentioned are again doing business as usual.
FINE BLOCK BURNED
J.N. O’Neill & Sons Premises Completely Wiped Out – W.A. Bailey’s Block Badly Damaged.
One of the worst fires in the history of Georgetown occurred on Saturday morning last, when J.N. O’Neill & Sons fine three storey brick block consisting of garage, carriage factory and blacksmith shop totally destroyed; W.A. Railey’s block consisting of harness store and workshop; H. C. Bailey’s electrical supplies and Oddfellow’s, Rebekah’s and Orangemen’s Lodge rooms were badly gutted and contents destroyed; and the plumbing and tinsmitting workshop of R. H. Thompson & Co., hardware in the rear of Anthony block, badly damaged; A.J. Blackburn, gent’s furnishings and tailoring damaged by smoke and water.
The fire was first noticed about a quarter to three by Miss Coleman, a telephone operator, who was working the switch board in the office just across the street. The reflection through the windows of the O’Neill block attracted her attention and she immediately called up Mr. O’Neill and gave the alarm. The firemen responded promptly, but the large building was a mass of flames in a few minutes. A stupendous task faced the boys, but they went to it, and under direction of Chief A. Tost and Deputy Chief Angus Duncan succeeded in getting the flames under control in about two hours. At first sight it looked as if the whole business portion of the town was domed and a call was sent out to Brampton firemen, Acton and Milton for assistance.
All three towns responded promptly with men and hose. Brampton firemen were the first to arrive with their big fire truck, having made the twelve miles in 85 minutes. The assistance of the outside firemen was much appreciated for they in turn relieved our firemen who had put up such a noble fight at the beginning and were responsible for the saving of much property. No body of firemen ever worked harder or more determined in the accomplishment if their task than did the Georgetown firemen, and no town is prouder of their Brigade than is Georgetown.
The outside firemen who assisted also done nobly and the citizens of Georgetown are truly grateful to them for their splendid co-operation with our brigade. Five lines of hose were laid and five streams of water played continuously on the burning buildings until the fire was under control. There was lots of water and splendid pressure which made it possible for the firemen to prevent further destruction. The firemen appreciated very much the hot tea, coffee and sandwiches served so generously by Mrs. O’Neill and other ladies in the vicinity of the fire. O’Neill & Son’s building and contents are a complete loss. Twenty-five automobiles were destroyed in the fire, twelve belonging to O’Neill & Sons, and the others were owned by the following: - G.C. Mackay, F. Kersey, Ed Wheeler, Blake Hume, Pettit Apiaries, L.F. Denison, W.G. Marshall; Fred Lyons, Cheltenham; Robert Stirratt, Glenwilliams; C Linham, Hamilton.
A horse belonging to Nr. Walter Anthony was burned in his stable. Fire Marshall Heaton, of Toronto, who happened to be in town, was an eye witness of the fire from the time the alarm was sounded until the end. He took occasion to see Chief Tost and congratulate him and his men on the able and efficient manner in which they had fought the flames and remarked that the city brigades had nothing on Georgetown fire fighters. Men are at work clearing away the debris and re-construction will be commenced at once by O’Neill & Son. W..H. Bailey abd H.C. Bailey have their front shop open again, while the other firms mentioned are again doing business as usual.
