Historic Fires of Fredericton
Arctic Rink FireApril 30th, 1939
The Arctic Rink, on the site of the present Library, was of unique design. It had a round ice surface.
Pictured here is the spectacular blaze which destroyed the Artic Rink shortly before midnight, April 30th, 1939. Falling timbers from the old Capital landmark broke power lines leading into the city over the Fredericton-Devon highway bridge, halting operation of Fredericon's water supply, pumped by electric operated pumps from the Saint John River.
The city's single motor pumper alone stood between the flames and several public buildings in the heart of the business district as it sucked water from the pressureless mains to hurl against the inferno until auxiliary equipment was quickly brought into play at the city's pumping station.
The photo was obtained a few minutes before the roof of the 37 year-old structure crashed in. Flames soared 100 feet in the air and northwest wind carried spalrks over all the down river section of the city. The reflection was visible 30 miles away.
