Early Firefighting in Toronto Commemorative Plaque, 2019
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Resource ID
7334
Access
Open
Address
34 Yorkville Avenue, Toronto, ON M4W 1L4
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2019
Historical Themes
Keywords
Program Category
Time Period
Caption
Early Firefighting in Toronto Commemorative Plaque, 2019
Description
In the early 19th century, individual citizens were responsible for firefighting. Each house was required by law to have two leather buckets and two ladders to reach burning roofs. The "bucket brigades" drew water from Lake Ontario or water tanks. The bells of St. James Cathedral were used to raise the fire alarm.
The Toronto Fire Brigade was created in 1826 with volunteers who raced to fires pulling hand-pumped engines equipped with hand-sewn leather hoses. Carters hauled water in large casks. Members of the first Hook and Ladder company, created in 1831, accessed upper storeys and roofs and used long pike poles to pull down burning buildings.
The arrival of steam-powered engines drawn by horses in the 1860s as well as rubber hoses encased in woven cotton improved firefighting. In 1871, the city installed its first fire alarm system with call boxes located throughout Toronto.
In 1874, as Toronto continued to expand, the city established its first professional fire service.
Marker lat / long: 43.67174, -79.388929 (WGS84)