The Disastrous Fire of '42 / July 1 Celebrations: Lest We Forget / Collins' Centennial Memoir
The Disastrous Fire of ‘42
The most disastrous fire in Westville’s modern history left a desolate scene in the center of the mining town’s business district. The blaze, which lit up the sky for hours, on Tuesday night, January 13, 1942, caused an estimate total loss of property and stock that went well over $150,000. There was no loss of life.
The west side of the main street from the IOOF hall to Murdock’s drug store was totally destroyed. The flames there could not jump across the tracks to the monument at the Post Office, but did get over the main street to destroy MacKenzie brothers store, housed in the old “Y” building.
Neighboring Towns Assist
Aided by firemen and equipment form New Glasgow and Stellarton, Westville firefighters unsuccessfully fought the blaze during heartbreaking sub-zero weather and when the fire was finally brought under control had the satisfaction of at least saving the MacPherson building beside the tracks.
After the fire the scene was one of desolation, with telephone and power crews replacing poles and wires that had been burned through, small flames and fumes arising out of the ruins and not even chimneys standing.
About 100 small boys and girls recklessly probed through the ruins of Thompson and Sutherland’s store, picking up horseshoes and other indestructible items of the stock.
Total Damage
The destroyed buildings, offices and apartments were:
S.T. Murdock’s Drug Store building, housing the apartment of Tom Simms on the second floor and from which some stock and property was salvaged.
Frank Boyd’s Bakery, one story, owned by Murdock
D.W. MacLeod’s Confectionary Store, the second storey of which was occupied by Mr. MacLeod and his family, their household equipment going in the flames.
Thompson and Sutherland’s hardware store, two-storey structure, owned by former Mayor George E. Munro, Westville’s grand old man.
James A. MacQuarrie’s Meat Store, two storeys, also owned by Mr. Munro.
William Ryan’s Tinsmith Shop, two storeys owned by Mr. Munro.
J. G. MacKenzie’s large department store across the street
No Lives Lost
The families living above the destroyed buildings all escaped without injury but little was saved.
The big Oddfellows Building was saved only by dint of hard work by firemen who poured water on it until the danger of it going subsided. Had it started, or the piercing wind which fanned the flames been in the other direction, it is probable the whole west side of Westville’s main street would have been destroyed.
Origin of Fire Undiscovered
Cause of the fire was not immediately known. The flames were well underway before the outbreak was noticed. The fire raged from shortly before midnight for four hours and several firemen suffered frostbite from the cold. Water that was not on the flames froze quickly, adding to difficulties of fighting the fire.
The intense heat and the wind carried large embers for a considerable distance and over a constant check had to be kept lest further fires started. Oddly enough, a couple of barns back of the Murdock building were not destroyed.
Of the fired buildings, only the MacKenzie store had parts left standing but it was hopeless beyond repair. The MacPherson building beside it was saved by firemen directing no less than six streams of water on it.
The blaze lit up the sky but with telephone wires down almost from the start, New Glasgow and Stellarton residents were unable to find out anything about it.