Historic Fires of Fredericton

    Barker House / King Street Fire
    May 26, 1939

More peaceful times

Barker House stables, several homes, barns, businesses and the Gaiety Theater Auditorium occupied this area, now used by NBTel and NBPower. The huge old stable, with it's high wooden roof, stood in the middle of the block and the sheds and rear portions of the houses on King Street either butted against or were very close to the stable.



Fire broke out about 3:00 AM, the weather was very dry. Residents woke to the blat of the fire alarm and sheets of flame could be seen in the air behind the long apartment house. In a very short time, fire engulfed the whole center area. spreading to the adjoining buildings on King Street.



Citizens rushed to salvage what they could while Firefighters set up a defensive posture. They set the pumper up by Miss MacDonald's house and although it sustained severe damage, the fire was held there. The house was repaired, but was torn down in 1946 to make way for the new Telephone building. Two Normal school girls who were boarding with the Rideouts, had to throw their books down from the window to save them.

Fortunately that morning, there was no wind of any account and through heroic efforts of Firefighters of that time, the fires did not jump across King Street.