Historic Fires of Fredericton

Lee's Opera and Stable Fire
August 12, 1893

It had gained such headway before any alarm was given that the inside of the buildings were a mass of flames before the arrival of the Firemen even though they were prompt in answering the call of duty. This place was considered on of the most dangerous locations in the city on account of the nature of the buildings, which were large and closely connected. For some weeks previous to the fire the weather had been remarkably hot and the buildings being of wood were very very dry. This caused the fire to spread with amazing rapidity. Notwithstanding the efforts of the men to prevent it.

It was after a hard fight of some hours that it was finally brought under control. Over 2000 ft of hose was used from which 7 powerful streams of water were thrown onto the fire. To handle them it required all the available force of the Department personnel and the assisting military men as well as the citizens that came forward to help. Both engines at the Waterworks were brought into requisition to supply the enormous amount of water required.

Major Gordon (R.R.C.I.) kindly offered the services of the military, which were gladly accepted and they aided well those interested in the removal of their goods and in guarding the goods on the street. It was generally conceded that the fire was the work of and incendarist and an investigation was held before the morning was out. Nothing sufficiently definite was learned to justify the arrest of the suspected party. The estimated loss of building and goods and machinery was about $18,000.00.

The buildings which were destroyed in this fire were the following:
- Lee's Opera House and Stable
- Gaunce's Livery Stable (belonging to Wesley Vanwart and occupied by W. T. Estey as a workhouse)
- John Palmer Company Tannery House belonging to McCaffery Est.
- House of Robert Winter's
- Damage to Dunphy Hotel
- John McPeak's Shop and Barn
- House belonging to James Tabor
- Out building of Patrick McGinn