Significant Dates and Fires

This page includes information on fires and disasters. Young readers may wish to skip over this page or read this page with an adult due to the possible difficult subject matter found on this page.

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This page lists some fires and dates significant to Montreal area firefighting history. As Montreal has developed over the years, the fire department has also evolved and moved through different stages of growth. Montreal has also had its share of fires and disasters over the years. Some of these incidents offer valuable lessons which are still valid today. Other incidents provide an opportunity to appreciate how firefighting has changed over the years. By studying incidents of the past, perhaps we can learn from history rather than making our own tragic mistakes.

Fire prevention and firefighting don't normally get noticed or reported until tragedy occurs. As a result a high price often has to paid for lessons learned. No one hears about the fire that didn't start because of efficient prevention. The small fire that is rapidly extinguished is also quickly forgotten. Over time, the lessons from fires past and fire prevention get forgotten until another tragedy occurs and the lessons are learned yet again. Technology has improved throughout the 20th century and firefighting has become more efficient and the threat of fire has become smaller. However the lessons of the past still need to be rememberred to help maintain and improve our level of safety.

When we are lulled into a false sense of security and let our guard down history has an uncanny habit of repeating itself. Today's technology has brought about great reductions in fire losses, however it is important to make sure our fire service resources and organziations are maintained at a level sufficient required to meet today's challenges. Modern communication technologies are very fast and reliable and beyond belief compared to those of the past. We must make sure that the gains of modern communications are not lost to bureaucracy. Recent history shows us that it is still important, to remember lessons of the past, and that we maintain viable firefighting and fire prevention resources.


The Events