Date 13 June 1886 | Location Vancouver, Canada | |
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Similar Calgary Fire of 1886, Cornwall Court fire, 1996 Garley Building fi, 1938 Changsha fire, Great Fire of Meireki | ||
12 great vancouver fire of 1886 walking tour for heart of the city festival 2014 in vancouver
The Great Vancouver Fire was a conflagration that destroyed most of the newly incorporated city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 13 June 1886.
Contents
- 12 great vancouver fire of 1886 walking tour for heart of the city festival 2014 in vancouver
- False creek elementary the great vancouver fire of 1886
- Fire
- References
False creek elementary the great vancouver fire of 1886
Fire
The fire began as a brush fire to clear land between present-day Main and Cambie Streets that was spread out of control by a strong gale. Dozens of lives were claimed by the fire and the only structures not destroyed were a stone building in the West End, the Hastings Mill Store, and a few structures on the banks of False Creek. An estimated $1.3 million was lost in destroyed property, but within four days, new buildings began to appear. Shortly after the fire, $6,900 was raised for fire-fighting equipment and a fire hall and water tanks were constructed. Vancouver's lone constable, John Stewart, was joined by Jackson Abray, V.W. Haywood, and John McLaren when Mayor McLean appointed them special constables to assist in the aftermath of the fire, marking the creation of the first police force for the city. The city was rebuilt with modern water, electricity and streetcar systems.
One story that is often overlooked is the help that the local Squamish Nation offered to the survivors who were floundering in the water. Although being previously evicted from the land and relocated to North Vancouver at Ustlawn, the Aboriginal people paddled over and canoed people to safety. [1]
