HISTORY
FIRES
by Gail Hussey Weir
Created February 2023; updated November 2025
by Gail Hussey Weir
Created February 2023; updated November 2025
The buttons below will take you to descriptions of some of the known significant fires that occurred on Bell Island over the years.
The image below (courtesy of Gord Johnson) shows the first Fire Hall (the building with the square tower to the right of the center of the photo) located just east of where the Post Office is today on No. 2 Road. According to an article on the 50th Anniversary of the Fire Brigade in the Daily News, Dec. 31, 1963, p. 71, that first Fire Hall was originally the Hoist House for No. 2 Mine, and parts of the Deckhead for the mine can be seen just west of the Fire Hall. (The state of the Deckhead in this photo suggests it was taken sometime after January 1950, which was when No. 2 Mine closed down.) The building "was hauled to the site...in the Fall of 1913 by the firemen."
HISTORY OF BELL ISLAND'S VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE
The history of Bell Island's Volunteer Fire Brigade below is from the Submarine Miner, Nov. 1954, p. 8. Scroll down the page to learn about the evolution of the fire brigade over the years.
The Submarine Miner article above finishes by saying, "For over 40 years, the Brigade has played a vital role in the community." Some of those ways were described in the St. John's newspapers of the day:
In 1912: "Preparations for the [Bell Island] Regatta began on July 8 with a meeting in the Dominion Fire Hall. A donation of $25 was received from Col. Thomas Cantley, General Manager of the Scotia Company. The Regatta took place on July 27. Bell Island's Regatta Day was the only whole holiday in the mines during the year, outside of Christmas Day and Good Friday. The Regatta course was a mile and one-eighth from the Beach to Dominion Pier and back." (Source: Bown, 1912, p. 39)
In 1913: "Winners of the annual Sports Day at Power's Field [at the Front] were presented trophies. The Dominion Volunteer Fire Brigade took part in the sports."
In 1917: The Fire Brigade was operating a night school in Bamford Hall in February with an enrolment of 95.
In 1917: The Dominion Fire Brigade held their annual Sports Day at the Dominion Farm [located at the end of Exile Street on The Green] on August 25, preceded by four boat races on 15 Dam.
In 1919: "On May 27, the Fire Brigade, under President J.A. Hughes, launched a programme for the physical development of children, including plans for a playground, swimming pool and gymnasium. They also started a circulating library and were interested in improving the breed of cattle on the Island. They were planning an exhibition for the Fall. Many of the community's leaders expressed interest in the Child Welfare project. The of the Island's doctors offered their services to visit the schools periodically to examine the children as to eyes, teeth, and general health." (Source: Bown, 1919, p. 58)
On August 25, 1920: the Fire Brigade held their regatta on 15 Dam and field sports at the Dominion Farm.
On July 9, 1921: the Fire Brigade's Derby Day was held. A children's playground, sponsored by the Fire Brigade, was opened by President J.A. Hughes in July.
In 1923, there was also a Fire Hall at West Mines. (Where was it located?) Also in 1923, the Fire Brigade formed a Ladies' Auxillary with Mrs. J.A. Hughes as president.
In 1929, J.A. Hughes was president and Jacob Noseworthy was secretary of the Fire Brigade.
In the Fall of 1936, the Dominion Volunteer Fire Brigade presented a bugle to the C.L.B., the presentation being made by President A. Fillier and Secretary T.J. Dobbin.
In July 1938, the Fire Brigade celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an outing to Kelligrews. Those making the trip were: A. Fillier, President; E. Highmore, Chief; T.J. Tobin, Secretary; Messrs. Rideout, Cobb, Dobbin, Norman, Kitchen, George, Gosse, Brien, Kennedy, Whelan, Steele, Normore, Sullivan, Meadus, Fitzgerald and Ryan. An enjoyable weekend was spent at the Anchorage, Mrs. Charles Mercer, proprietress. R. Hibbs welcomed the members of the Brigade to Kelligrews, and Sandy Tilley, one of the earliest members, who was then employed as a bridge builder with the Highroads Department, gave a review of the Wabana operations and the work of the Brigade.
In 1963, it was noted on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary that "the Brigade took care of the needy at Christmas time. They even went as far as to set and dig potatoes for the widows of firemen who had passed on."
In 1912: "Preparations for the [Bell Island] Regatta began on July 8 with a meeting in the Dominion Fire Hall. A donation of $25 was received from Col. Thomas Cantley, General Manager of the Scotia Company. The Regatta took place on July 27. Bell Island's Regatta Day was the only whole holiday in the mines during the year, outside of Christmas Day and Good Friday. The Regatta course was a mile and one-eighth from the Beach to Dominion Pier and back." (Source: Bown, 1912, p. 39)
In 1913: "Winners of the annual Sports Day at Power's Field [at the Front] were presented trophies. The Dominion Volunteer Fire Brigade took part in the sports."
In 1917: The Fire Brigade was operating a night school in Bamford Hall in February with an enrolment of 95.
In 1917: The Dominion Fire Brigade held their annual Sports Day at the Dominion Farm [located at the end of Exile Street on The Green] on August 25, preceded by four boat races on 15 Dam.
In 1919: "On May 27, the Fire Brigade, under President J.A. Hughes, launched a programme for the physical development of children, including plans for a playground, swimming pool and gymnasium. They also started a circulating library and were interested in improving the breed of cattle on the Island. They were planning an exhibition for the Fall. Many of the community's leaders expressed interest in the Child Welfare project. The of the Island's doctors offered their services to visit the schools periodically to examine the children as to eyes, teeth, and general health." (Source: Bown, 1919, p. 58)
On August 25, 1920: the Fire Brigade held their regatta on 15 Dam and field sports at the Dominion Farm.
On July 9, 1921: the Fire Brigade's Derby Day was held. A children's playground, sponsored by the Fire Brigade, was opened by President J.A. Hughes in July.
In 1923, there was also a Fire Hall at West Mines. (Where was it located?) Also in 1923, the Fire Brigade formed a Ladies' Auxillary with Mrs. J.A. Hughes as president.
In 1929, J.A. Hughes was president and Jacob Noseworthy was secretary of the Fire Brigade.
In the Fall of 1936, the Dominion Volunteer Fire Brigade presented a bugle to the C.L.B., the presentation being made by President A. Fillier and Secretary T.J. Dobbin.
In July 1938, the Fire Brigade celebrated its 25th Anniversary with an outing to Kelligrews. Those making the trip were: A. Fillier, President; E. Highmore, Chief; T.J. Tobin, Secretary; Messrs. Rideout, Cobb, Dobbin, Norman, Kitchen, George, Gosse, Brien, Kennedy, Whelan, Steele, Normore, Sullivan, Meadus, Fitzgerald and Ryan. An enjoyable weekend was spent at the Anchorage, Mrs. Charles Mercer, proprietress. R. Hibbs welcomed the members of the Brigade to Kelligrews, and Sandy Tilley, one of the earliest members, who was then employed as a bridge builder with the Highroads Department, gave a review of the Wabana operations and the work of the Brigade.
In 1963, it was noted on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary that "the Brigade took care of the needy at Christmas time. They even went as far as to set and dig potatoes for the widows of firemen who had passed on."
"Bull Dog" Whistle: How Fire Fighters In the Mining Years Knew Where a Fire Was Burning
On February 19, 1938, the Newfoundland Government approved the Avalon Telephone Company Act and, a few days later, that company purchased the Bell Island telephone system from DOSCO. As part of the sale, Avalon Telephone agreed to maintain a special section of the switchboard for the needs of DOSCO, and to provide continuous 24-hour service, with a special operator for this section. Another connection to the mining company that was continued by Avalon Telephone was the activation of the fire alarm. The Bull Dog was the nickname for DOSCO's automated whistle that blew to signal the changing of the shifts in the mines, and also the mid-day meal hour. When there was a house fire, someone with access to a telephone would call an operator at the Avalon Telephone Company who would then activate a switch, causing the Company whistle to blow a certain number of times, depending on the area of the Island where the fire was located. In those pre-cell phone times, when many residents did not have land lines, volunteer fire-fighters would know in which direction to go by the number of blows of the whistle.
Below: Some firefighters with trophies. Occasion and date unknown, but c. 1950s-60s. L-R: Gerald Hart; Mac Blackmore; Sam Nolan; unknown; Bill Vokey. Photo courtesy of Karen Good. (Down through the years, the Fire Brigade held an annual Sports Day and Regatta, sometimes referred to as Derby Day. Perhaps the trophies are from one of those events.)
The article below is from The Daily News, Dec. 31, 1948, p. 68. It details a crisis that arose in 1947 when the mining company's insurance provider declared that the Company's fire fighters would no longer be covered if they were injured while tending to a fire outside the Company's properties. It describes some of the many fires that occurred in 1948 and how the problem of coverage for the firefighters was finally resolved. It also describes some of the problems the brigade had with fire-fighting equipment.
The West Dam, near West Mines, was constructed by the mining company in 1954 as a water reservoir to conserve water that previously drained from the Island into the sea. The water from the reservoir is not used directly as a domestic supply but is used for fire lines and, during the latter mining years, for industrial use. (Source: Submarine Miner, Sept. 1956)
In the photo below, the Fire Department float is part of a parade going past Joe Pynn's Store at "Pynn's Corner," on the corner of Main Street at Memorial Street, probably sometime in the 1950s. It is likely a part of the Labour Day parade. Photo courtesy of Gerald Purcell.
The Fire Brigade activities below are from the Submarine Miner, Dec. 1955, p. 5. See the next photo down for a clearer image of the Executive.
Below: Fire Brigade Executive in 1956, courtesy of Ed Metcalfe.
The following appeared in the December 31, 1957 edition of The Daily News, p. 95 in an article on "Civil Defence Activities During 1957." The article was a review of Civil Defence activities for Newfoundland.
Bell Island also constitutes another strategic point in the Newfoundland Civil Defence Organization. In World War II, the Island became a target for a number of enemy attacks and several ships were torpedoed by hostile submarines. A special Civil Defence fire pumper has been stationed there under the supervision of Civil Defence but operated and maintained by the Wabana Town Council. Many volunteers from the Island have received training at the Central Fire Station in St. John's and are capable of performing their respective duties most efficiently.
Bell Island also constitutes another strategic point in the Newfoundland Civil Defence Organization. In World War II, the Island became a target for a number of enemy attacks and several ships were torpedoed by hostile submarines. A special Civil Defence fire pumper has been stationed there under the supervision of Civil Defence but operated and maintained by the Wabana Town Council. Many volunteers from the Island have received training at the Central Fire Station in St. John's and are capable of performing their respective duties most efficiently.
The image below is of the Fire Hall, headquarters of the Dominion Wabana Fire Brigade in 1959. The image is from the Submarine Miner, May, 1959, and was shot from Bennett Street, just east of the Government Building, looking north towards icebergs in Conception Bay. The street it is on was formerly part of the Dominion East Track, the tramway that ore cars travelled on going between No. 2 Mine to the Dominion Pier at the Front of the Island. Today the street appears on Google Maps as "Railroad Street." This is the same building as seen in the photo of the first Fire Hall at the top of the page, but with a second-floor addition. It was originally the Hoist House of No. 2 Mine before being hauled several hundred feet east along No. 2 Road in 1913 to serve as the first Fire Hall. When site preparations were being made for the building of a new Post Office on No. 2 Road in 1957, the Fire Hall was pulled by tractor to this site, just downhill from the Government Building on Bennett Street.
|
The photo and caption on the right are from the Submarine Miner, August 1959, p. 6
|
|
Below: The Fireman farthest right is Arthur Blackmore, courtesy of his daughter, Karen Good.
The image below is from 1961, courtesy of Fox Galway.
Below is a colourized version of the image above, courtesy of Brian Burke:
According to the Daily News, Dec. 31, 1963, p. 71, on December 15, 1962, a new fire station, erected by the Wabana Town Council, was opened, but the article does not say where it was located. The article (below) is a little hard to read, so here is a transcript of the part about the new fire station:
In the cold winter weather, men had to return to a cold fire station, while they themselves were wet and cold. Now they have a warm fire station to return to. On December 15, 1962, the fire trucks were backing into the new fire station, which was erected by the Wabana Town Council. But even today, after 50 years, these men ask for naught. They still have their meetings in the same drafty, cold hall that has been used for dancing, card games, a morgue, a meeting place for different organizations, and other general purposes. They meet in a hall owned by DOSCO, in a hall that was once a Hoist House for No. 2 Mine. This building was hauled to a site on No. 2 Road just east of the Post Office in the Fall of 1913 by the firemen, and in 1957 it was hauled to its present site by tractor, to the rear of the public building on Bennett Street. At various times, the spirits of the firemen were lifted when several reports came that they would soon occupy their new quarters in the upstairs of the fire station, but, alas, the waiting has been long.
In the cold winter weather, men had to return to a cold fire station, while they themselves were wet and cold. Now they have a warm fire station to return to. On December 15, 1962, the fire trucks were backing into the new fire station, which was erected by the Wabana Town Council. But even today, after 50 years, these men ask for naught. They still have their meetings in the same drafty, cold hall that has been used for dancing, card games, a morgue, a meeting place for different organizations, and other general purposes. They meet in a hall owned by DOSCO, in a hall that was once a Hoist House for No. 2 Mine. This building was hauled to a site on No. 2 Road just east of the Post Office in the Fall of 1913 by the firemen, and in 1957 it was hauled to its present site by tractor, to the rear of the public building on Bennett Street. At various times, the spirits of the firemen were lifted when several reports came that they would soon occupy their new quarters in the upstairs of the fire station, but, alas, the waiting has been long.
The photo below is looking west on Greenwood Avenue (the former St. Boniface High School would be behind the photographer) towards the intersection of Greenwood with the Dominion East Track (now Steve Neary Boulevard). Was the low yellow building on the west side of the Track next to the Sports Field, and behind the DOSCO Main Office when this photo was taken by Tom Careless, the "new fire station" built by the Wabana Town Council in 1962? Dave Careless remembers this low yellow building as being the Fire Station at the time. If this is the "new station" referred to in the December 31, 1963 article, it would seem to fit the description in the article as the author implies that the new station did not have the upstairs meeting rooms that the fire fighters had hoped they would get to replace the "drafty, cold hall" that they were still having to use.
Some other bits of Fire Brigade history mentioned in the 1963 article on the 50th Anniversary of the Brigade:
The first fire fought by the Brigade after it was formed was at the residence of R.T. Kent on the Green. The water supply used to fight the fire was obtained from a pump located in No. 2 Mine (the entrance to which was on the Green).
Most of the fire fighting in the early days was done by the use of buckets and a hand-drawn hose reel. When the alarm was sounded, the men assembled at the fire station on No. 2 Road and pulled their equipment to the scene of the fire. Sometimes the haul was a long one and this would leave the men in an exhausted condition to fight the fire, but they did not give up.
In October 1913, a Bucket Brigade was formed at West Mines by J.J. Farrell.
The rules and regulations of the Brigade were first written in 1914.
The office of Vice-President was not created until 1921.
It was not until the 1930s, when dairy farmer Thomas Neary acquired a truck for his business, that DOSCO hired him to drive firemen and equipment to fires. It was not a regular fire truck, but was considered a vast improvement over the hand-drawn hose reel.
Up to 1963, the Brigade had 12 fire chiefs. The first Chief was Nath Sheppard, who was the grandfather of the 1963 Chief, F.M. Blackmore, who had been Chief since 1959. Chief Blackmore had replaced Chief R.D. Norman, who had passed away at the scene of a fire.
Up to 1963, there had been 12 Presidents.
The first fire fought by the Brigade after it was formed was at the residence of R.T. Kent on the Green. The water supply used to fight the fire was obtained from a pump located in No. 2 Mine (the entrance to which was on the Green).
Most of the fire fighting in the early days was done by the use of buckets and a hand-drawn hose reel. When the alarm was sounded, the men assembled at the fire station on No. 2 Road and pulled their equipment to the scene of the fire. Sometimes the haul was a long one and this would leave the men in an exhausted condition to fight the fire, but they did not give up.
In October 1913, a Bucket Brigade was formed at West Mines by J.J. Farrell.
The rules and regulations of the Brigade were first written in 1914.
The office of Vice-President was not created until 1921.
It was not until the 1930s, when dairy farmer Thomas Neary acquired a truck for his business, that DOSCO hired him to drive firemen and equipment to fires. It was not a regular fire truck, but was considered a vast improvement over the hand-drawn hose reel.
Up to 1963, the Brigade had 12 fire chiefs. The first Chief was Nath Sheppard, who was the grandfather of the 1963 Chief, F.M. Blackmore, who had been Chief since 1959. Chief Blackmore had replaced Chief R.D. Norman, who had passed away at the scene of a fire.
Up to 1963, there had been 12 Presidents.
|
The Executive in 1913:
Meeting Convenor & Organizer of the Brigade: Angus McMillan Recording Secretary: Fred F. Jardine. Treasurer: Joseph M. Green. Captain of No. 1 Company: Hugh Buchanan. Captain of No. 2 Company: A.W. Bursey. The Brigade had 30 men. With 2 Captains, there were 15 men to a Company. (By the 1930s, the Brigade was increased to 40 men.) |
The Executive in 1963:
President: William Vokey. Vice-President: Pat Myers. Chief: F.M. Blackmore. Financial Secretary: E.J. Murphy. Treasurer: Harry French. Senior Deputy: Stan Connors. 1st Deputy: James P. Murphy. 2nd Deputy: William Vokey. 3rd Deputy: William Cahill. Librarian: Harry French. |
April 3, 1979: A new Fire Hall on Bell Island was nearing completion. [This was on Gull Island Road, at the corner of Compressor Hill, next door to the Boys' & Girls' Club.] The photo below was taken by Gail Hussey-Weir in the summer of 2004.
In 1998, there were 27 volunteer fire fighters. The population of Bell Island was then just under 4,000 people.
Below is the present-day Fire Station, built in 2014 on the north side of West Mines Road, on the former No. 6 Mine property.
Below: Wabana Volunteer Fire Fighters, 2020, courtesy of Bonnie Whalen.
In August 2022, a fire truck on Bell Island burned, creating a large void in the Island's firefighting capabilities. The pumper truck and firefighters were busy fighting eight different fires over the course of one weekend and, while tackling one of the wildland fires, the truck caught fire.
In February 2023 the Wabana volunteer fire captain raised concerns about staffing shortages with Bell Island's ambulance service that had led to volunteer firefighters being called to perform duties beyond their training.
In February 2023 the Wabana volunteer fire captain raised concerns about staffing shortages with Bell Island's ambulance service that had led to volunteer firefighters being called to perform duties beyond their training.
Below: Fire Prevention Week demonstration at St. Augustine's School, Oct. 2023.
Below: Wabana Volunteer Fire Fighters, with MHA Fred Hutton, Dec. 2024.
Below are photos of Wabana Volunteer Fire Fighters and Equipment:
On December 6, 2025, the Wabana Volunteer Fire Department held their Annual End of Year Supper and Award Presentations. Rookie Fire Fighter of the year was awarded to Taylor Murphy. Fire Fighter of the year was awarded to our New Fire Chief Gerry Sweeney.
Assistant Chief Terry King and Captain Scott Kitchen both received their 35 years of Service recognition Medals.
Fire Chief Gerry Sweeney received his 30 years of service recognition Medal.
Fire Fighters Tom Cole and Tom Carroll received their 20 years of Service recognition Medals.
Fire Fighters Bernie Carroll, Barry Hammond, Frank Hawco Jr., Patty Hurley and Brad Gosine received there 5 years of Service recognition pins.
Also on Saturday night, they unveiled a shadow box memorial, containing a small Maltese Cross shaped Urn, dedicated to former Fire Chief Jim Pendergast who passed away on May 9, 2025. One of Jim’s wishes was to have some of his ashes placed in the Fire Hall where he dedicated an amazing 50 years of service to the Department. Jim’s wife Eileen and daughter Nicole were in attendance. Bernie Carroll handcrafted the beautiful Shadow Box (below).
Assistant Chief Terry King and Captain Scott Kitchen both received their 35 years of Service recognition Medals.
Fire Chief Gerry Sweeney received his 30 years of service recognition Medal.
Fire Fighters Tom Cole and Tom Carroll received their 20 years of Service recognition Medals.
Fire Fighters Bernie Carroll, Barry Hammond, Frank Hawco Jr., Patty Hurley and Brad Gosine received there 5 years of Service recognition pins.
Also on Saturday night, they unveiled a shadow box memorial, containing a small Maltese Cross shaped Urn, dedicated to former Fire Chief Jim Pendergast who passed away on May 9, 2025. One of Jim’s wishes was to have some of his ashes placed in the Fire Hall where he dedicated an amazing 50 years of service to the Department. Jim’s wife Eileen and daughter Nicole were in attendance. Bernie Carroll handcrafted the beautiful Shadow Box (below).
|
|