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Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library Archives Local History Collection Fire
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$3 M Blaze

"Firefighters battle stubborn 7-hour blaze which ripped through industrial complex last Friday afternoon

On April 28, 1988 at approximately 2:20 p.m., a major fire broke out in an industrial complex on Bridge Street (Hwy. 11) in the Town of Bradford, which necessitated the closing of Hwy. 11 both northbound and southbound for a period of six hours." ...

Bradford Gazette

1862 Fire Inquest

This article relates to the fire of Bradford on June 24th, 1862, which originated in an unknown stable in the main city sector. There is no lasting record of a newspaper published during the week of the fire.

"Fire Inquest

On Friday morning last [June 27th], Corner Allen, with a Jury, held an inquiry into the causes of the late fire. About a dozen witnesses were examined, after which the jury returned the following verdict:
'We, the Jury empannelled to inquire into the causes or origin of the fire that occurred in this village on the night of the 24th [June] inst., having heard the testimony brought before us, are of the opinion that such fire originated through accident, whose cause is unknown to this Jury.
-A.S. Warburton, Foreman'
No evidence was adduced to show that there was either a candle or lamp in the stable on the evening in question."

South Simcoe Times

1871 Bradford Fire Account

An article about a highly destructive fire that swept through Holland Street, destroying multiple buildings, businesses and homes. The original article appeared in the May 22nd, 1871 edition of the Toronto Daily Telegraph and was reprinted in 1901 as part of the "Looking Backward" series.

Luanne Campbell Edwards

1886 Fire

Newspaper article from 1886 about a fire that destroyed buildings on the town's main thoroughfare and the fire suppression efforts of firefighters and citizens.

Luanne Campbell Edwards

Before the 1959 Fire

An undated photo found in the Bradford Witness of Holland Street prior to the 1959 fire which destroyed some of these businesses. The two buildings on the left of the photo were damaged by fire, with the far left one completely destroyed.

Bradford Witness

Blaze destroys apartment

"No cause has yet been determined for a stubborn blaze which broke out in a house at 16 John Street East in Bradford last Tuesday.
The Bradford Fire Department was called out at about 4 pm to quell the blaze which broke out in a back apartment, occupied by Dick Gullinger.
Fire Chief Harold Boyd said the whole apartment was in flamed by the time the firefighters arrived on the scene, and there was no hope of saving it.
The back wall of the house was also badly damaged, and thick smoke made the rest of the house uninhabitable for the occupants of the other two apartments, John Faria Jr., and Louis Dasiba.
"It was a tough one to put out," Chief Boyd said, explaining there were many false ceilings in the old house which had to be torn away to get at the flames.
The chief estimated it took about three hours to put the fire out. The occupants managed to remove most of their belongings during the blaze, and there were no injuries. There has been no estimate of damage."

Bradford Witness

Bond Head United Church Fire

Bradford Witness newspaper article on the fire which destroyed the Bond Head United Church in 1941. From a scrapbook made by Vira Bateman.
"Almost isolated by roads which were nearly impassable, residents of Bond Head and surrounding districts yesterday formed a bucket brigade and fought flames which, for a time threatened to destroy part of the town. The Bond Head United Church (upper left) was completely destroyed. The fire started in a near-by garage owned by William Jardine, who was badly burned in an attempt to rescue his car (lower left). Three of the volunteer firemen are shown (upper right) cooling off after the battle. They are (left to right) cooling off after the battle. They are (left to right) Archie McLean, Cookstown; Ernie Hughes, Fennell's Corners, and John Bell of Toronto. Furniture from the adjacent houses was piled in a plowed field for protection (lower right). Inset is Rev. T.J. Jewitt, minister of the church, who helped fight the blaze."

Bradford 5c to $1 Store

The Bradford 5c to $1 store prior to the 1959 fire on Holland Street W. which damaged the building.

Tweedsmuir History

Bradford Businesses Destroyed by Fire

Firemen attempt to put out the fire that destroyed five businesses on Holland Street in Bradford. The businesses that were caught in the fire were Breen's Refrigeration Service, Evan's Men's and Boy's Wear, Model Bakery, Bradford 5 cents to $1.00 store and Harveys Meat Market. This photo is from the Bradford Womens Institute Scrapbooks.

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