by Phil Egan

It happened 148 years ago, but it was a massive, destructive blaze the likes of which Sarnia hasn’t see before or since.

The fire that tore across Sarnia’s commercial downtown district on the night of Thursday, November 14, 1867, destroyed Sarnia’s business core, but it could have been worse without the heroic efforts of Sarnia’s young fire department and their colleagues in Port Huron who rushed to the rescue.

The fire was believed to have started at Harkness’ Billiards, a shop that was located behind the Western Hotel on George Street. It was 9:00 in the evening. The flames quickly spread to Daniel Clark’s Grocery, then located at the corner of George and Christina Streets.

What had begun as simply a bad fire was about to become a conflagration.

In 1867, fire was a constant danger. Most buildings were constructed of wood, and oil lamps were the primary source of illumination. Fires were frequent, and occasionally deadly. Constant vigilance was necessary.

As soon as flames had been seen roaring into the night sky from the first two buildings aflame, the fire department had been called. A strong wind from the northwest increased the danger of the fire spreading.

The raging fire continued its path of destruction south along Christina Street, igniting the stables behind the Western Hotel. Sam Lucas’ Saddlery shop was next to burst into flames, followed by Hoskins Tailor Shop, W. Sproules’ blacksmith shop, and D. McDonald’s stable.

The fire department had now arrived on the scene,, but were having trouble getting their engine started. The fire had now become a raging inferno, with flames soaring hundreds of feet in the air. The heat was stifling.

As the fire shifted west, the firemen worked feverishly to try to contain the flames from spreading further south and destroying more of the town commercial heart. A frantic call was made to the Port Huron Fire Brigade for reinforcements.

The great fire continued to consume businesses as it travelled down Christina Street. The provisions store of F. Klumpp, McElheron’s Hotel, and J. Fould’s bakery on Front Street were soon lost. The entire block was now burning: Farrar’s Grocery store, Westby’s Shoe Shop, the home of Joshua Adams, Mrs. Livingstone’s Millinery shop, the Post Office and the residence of Alfred Fisher, Postmaster, Mr. F. Blaikie’s home and the Market Building – all were lost.

The Port Huron and Sarnia firefighters worked through most of the night, finally bringing the holocaust under control. As the dawn broke, it revealed a ghastly scene of smoldering desolation. Practically the entire block between Christina and Victoria Streets between George and Lochiel lay in ruins. Fully half of Sarnia’s downtown commercial district had been destroyed. A dozen families were left homeless, in addition to the businesses ruined.

In the aftermath of the monstrous blaze, both our own firefighters and those of Port Huron, who arrived promptly and whose assistance was invaluable, were credited with saving the commercial district that remained.

It was hard to believe, but the Great Fire of 1867 actually could have been much worse.