Historic Fires of Fredericton

    Exhibition GroundsFire of 1939
    Nov 29, 1939

This fire involved many of the building on the grounds and the blaze could be seen for miles. This would be the 3rd time the main exhibition building would be lost by fire. Other losses included the cement block poultry building, cattle sheds, all the buildings along Saunders street and Deputy Chief Ed King's bicycle.

Due to the fact that war had just broken out in Europe, the Department of National Defense had a barracks there. All the uniforms & stores that were present that day were lost in the fire. Explosions caused by small arms munitions were frequent. Soldiers were able to save their mascot, Charlie the Bear.

The Welcome Building The Welcome building, which was built in 1903. The Heat was so intense, that the pumper out at the street had to be repeatedly wetted down, and several nearby buildings caught fire. Neighbours on Saunders street had to use garden hoses to protect their homes from the radiant heat. Many and the windows cracked from the heat and several caught fire, but crews quickly put out the fires before they could spread past the roofs. 5000ft of hose & 8 streams were laid in fighting this fire.

Soldiers were stationed here
This is a picture of the building that the army was using.
Most of the items inside were lost