Historic Fires of Fredericton

    Queen Street Fire
    January 22, 1929

The Queen Street fire of 1929, in which buildings from Woolworths to Creaghan's were totally destroyed. Firefighters faced freezing temperatures and raging flames as they battled through the night.

This was the first of two serious fires in 1929 that led the city to purchase a motorized pumper truck later in the year. Up until this time, fire fighters had to use hydrant pressure for their hose streams.

Other destroyed businesses were: Goodyshop Toggery (Menswear), Wedalls Drygoods Store, Bank of Commerce and Halls Book Store.

Streams are applied as the sun rises on a cold morning

Only the front wall remains

The ice buildup is indicative of the frigid temperatures