Great Fire of Toronto (1849)
Encyclopedia
Great Fire of Toronto was the first major fire to destroy part of the City and the second in the 19th century.
The fire began at Post's Tavern, east of Jarvis Street and north of King Street in the early morning of April 7, 1849. This area, known as Market Block, was the city's early core.
The fire destroyed buildings bounded by King Street East to the south, Church Street
to the west, Adelaide Street East to the North, and Jarvis Street
to the east. Much of the business core of the city was wiped out, including the predecessor of the current St. James' Cathedral. While the buildings on the main streets were brick, the inner buildings along laneways were made of wood and likely fueled the fire.
There was limited firefighting by early fire companies (Toronto Fire Department
was not formed until 1875) and they were made up mostly of volunteers. Fire hydrants and water tanks or barrels had been added in 1842 by the Metropolitan Water Company , but these were not enough for the poorly-manned fire services of the day.
(1833), Toronto's first city hall (1845) and St. Lawrence Market North
.
The fire halls existing in Toronto in 1849 were:
A second Fireman's Hall at Bay Street had been built in 1839, but it had closed in 1841, before the fire.
None of the buildings within the Market Block (10–15 acres of property) survived, but buildings surrounding the block, such as the Daniel Brooke Building at King and Jarvis, were spared.
St Lawrence Market North (1851) was rebuilt and new buildings like St. Lawrence Hall
(1851) and Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
(1853) were built to code. This did not mean an end to future fires, as the year 1904 proved in the city's new core.
The fire began at Post's Tavern, east of Jarvis Street and north of King Street in the early morning of April 7, 1849. This area, known as Market Block, was the city's early core.
The fire destroyed buildings bounded by King Street East to the south, Church Street
Church Street
-Streets:* Church Street, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom* Church Street , New York City, New York, United States* Church Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia* Church Street , England, United Kingdom...
to the west, Adelaide Street East to the North, and Jarvis Street
Jarvis Street
Jarvis Street is a north-south thoroughfare in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, passing through some of the oldest developed areas in the city. Its alignment extends from Bloor Street in the north to Queens Quay East in the south. South of Front Street, it continues as Lower Jarvis Street...
to the east. Much of the business core of the city was wiped out, including the predecessor of the current St. James' Cathedral. While the buildings on the main streets were brick, the inner buildings along laneways were made of wood and likely fueled the fire.
There was limited firefighting by early fire companies (Toronto Fire Department
Toronto Fire Services
The Toronto Fire Services is part of the Emergency Services that respond to 911 calls in the City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Overview:The Toronto Fire Services is responsible for responding to fires, rescue and assisting with medical situations within the City of Toronto...
was not formed until 1875) and they were made up mostly of volunteers. Fire hydrants and water tanks or barrels had been added in 1842 by the Metropolitan Water Company , but these were not enough for the poorly-manned fire services of the day.
Fire Fighting in the 1840s
Before the fire, Toronto's fire fighting capabilities were limited to 6 volunteer companies operating in one fire hall at Court Street and Church Street. Manual pumpers and tankers involved far too much manpower and would prove to be no match for the speed of a major fire. No lives appeared to have been lost, but scores of buildings over several block were destroyed, including St. James CathedralCathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, Canada is the home of the oldest congregation in the city. The parish was established in 1797. The Cathedral was begun in 1850 and completed in 1853, was at the time one of the largest buildings in the city...
(1833), Toronto's first city hall (1845) and St. Lawrence Market North
St. Lawrence Market North
St. Lawerence Market North in Toronto was built in 1968, replacing the former 1904 building. It hosts a variety of markets, including a Farmer's Market and an antique market.-History:...
.
The fire halls existing in Toronto in 1849 were:
- Fireman's Hall at Church Street - built 1826, renumbered as No. 5 in 1861 and closed in 1874.
- Station No. 1 at 139-141 Bay Street - built 1841 and closed 1924.
- Engine No. 4 at St. Patrick's Market on Queen Street West - built 1842 and closed 1861.
- Hose Company No. 2 at Berkeley Street - built 1849 and closed 1859.
A second Fireman's Hall at Bay Street had been built in 1839, but it had closed in 1841, before the fire.
Aftermath
The buildings burned down were made of wood, so in response the city changed building codes to prevent future losses of this magnitude.None of the buildings within the Market Block (10–15 acres of property) survived, but buildings surrounding the block, such as the Daniel Brooke Building at King and Jarvis, were spared.
St Lawrence Market North (1851) was rebuilt and new buildings like St. Lawrence Hall
St. Lawrence Hall
St. Lawrence Hall is a meeting hall in Toronto, Canada next to the St. Lawrence Market. It was built, alongside the new city hall, in 1850 after an 1849 fire destroyed much of the market. The Renaissance Revival style building was designed by William Thomas. It was created to be Toronto's public...
(1851) and Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
Cathedral Church of St. James (Toronto)
Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto, Canada is the home of the oldest congregation in the city. The parish was established in 1797. The Cathedral was begun in 1850 and completed in 1853, was at the time one of the largest buildings in the city...
(1853) were built to code. This did not mean an end to future fires, as the year 1904 proved in the city's new core.