The Poor Asylum Fire in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1882 stands as one of the most tragic and significant fires in the city’s history, particularly in regard to the treatment and care of society’s most vulnerable.
Background: Halifax Poor Asylum
The Halifax Poor Asylum, also known at times as the City and Provincial Hospital or simply the Poor House, was established in the early 1800s to house the indigent, infirm, mentally ill, and those with no other means of support. It was a large institution situated on South Street in Halifax and was one of the few facilities available in the city for the destitute and mentally ill during that time.
The Fire – November 6, 1882
On the early morning of November 6, 1882, a fire broke out within the Poor Asylum. The blaze spread quickly throughout the structure, which was largely constructed of wood and poorly equipped with fire safety measures.
The Halifax Fire Department responded promptly, but the intensity of the fire, combined with the confusing layout of the building and the challenges in evacuating patients—many of whom were infirm or mentally ill—contributed to the high casualty count.
Casualties and Aftermath
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31 lives were lost in the fire, most of them residents who could not be rescued in time.
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The tragedy drew significant public attention and scrutiny, particularly over the conditions within the Poor Asylum.
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The fire was a catalyst for public outcry and debate over the treatment of the poor and mentally ill in Nova Scotia.
Investigation and Legacy
An inquiry was held to investigate the fire and the conditions of the asylum. It revealed serious deficiencies, including overcrowding, inadequate fire safety protocols, and the use of outdated wooden construction.
As a result:
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The fire became a turning point in the history of institutional care in Nova Scotia.
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It led to reforms in how the province cared for the poor and mentally ill.
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Eventually, new institutions were built with improved safety and more humane living conditions.
The Poor Asylum Fire of 1882 is remembered not only for its tragic loss of life but also for the broader societal changes it prompted regarding public health, welfare, and institutional reform in Nova Scotia.
From The Halifax Herald November 7th 1882:
"Last Night's Conflagration.
The Poor's Destroyed Asylum
TERRIBLE LOSS OF LIFE.
Heartrending Scenes At The Burning.
A Brave Fireman's Escape.
An alarm of fire was sounded at about 12 oclock last night, and it turned out that the Poor's Asylum was on fire.
The main or eastern building is five stories high, built of brick with a French roof. The western wing is three stories with a French roof.
The fire Is supposed to have originated in the laundry in the basement at the north east corner of the large building.
The fire was supposed to have been got under, but smouldering, soon after shot up the dumb waiter and in half an hour the main building was a mass of flames. It soon extended to the western wing and before four o'clock this morning the whole building was entirely consumed the bare brick walls alone Being left standing. The whole fire Brigade of the city turned out and worked with prodigious daring, but there brave efforts were unavailing to stop the fire, although many of them did great service at an early stage of the fire in rescuing the inmates.
After the fire had gained considerable headway in the main building many fireman and others rusbed up to the upper wards in the east end, and carried down numbers who had been asleep and were unconscious of the fire burning around them. Among those who were conspicuous in their daring besides the firemen were Rev Archdeacon Gilpin, Rev. A.J. Town-end, Rev. J. Padfield, Rev. W. F. Murray, Alderman MacIntosh, Murdock Lindsay, Sergeant N. Power, and many others whose names we could not learn. Two of the clergymen we have named were exhausted in the smoke and one was carried senselsss from the building almost suffocated by the smoke.
Nothwithstanding all the efforts that were used several of the inmates are known to have perished in the flames. The correct number is not yet ascertained, but some estimate it at thirty or forty, but this number may be reduced. Those who perished occupied the hospital ward in the top of the building—a part not reached by the rescuers. An unfortuate woman was seen on the fifth story window resting with her arms ot the ledge and her hands clasped. The fire burst out at the window-her blazing hair was seen and she fell back into the flames. The screeches and cries of the poor people in the top story after it was impossible to aid them was terrific. It was too late to save them.
The Poor's asylum yesterday morning contained 320 intnates, of whom 42 were in hospital. Those who got out of the building found shelter in outhouses and stables. One poor fellow, Dellatorre, who had been sick, must have inhaled the fire or smoke and was in a dying condition at four this morning. He was not expected to live half an hour. After the main building was a mass of flames the firemen devoted their attention to the western portion; their efforts were fruitless and a quantity of hose that was being used in the western stairway was destroyed.
At this time a man was seen in the topmost story of the western wing. The smoke was pouring out of the window through which he was looking while in the window below could be seen the glare of the flames. It was a perilous moment for him. The heat was intense on the ground, but the brave firemen were equal to the occasion. After a number of ladders were raised to the window and had proved too short, a longer one was at last found which reached a few feet below the window sill. The man dropped on the ladder and descended to the ground. It was a happy escape for Mr. James White, of No. 1 Division, (Salamander) U. E. C. He was received with cheers by the vast crowd. A few moments afterwards and the window was in flames. The wind was from the east and drove the flame: from one side of the building to the other The flames illuminated the whole city and Dartmouth. All the adjoining buildings were saved. The building is owned by the city and province jointly. We do not know the extent of the insurance.
There is $10,000 in the Lancashire, and $15,000 in the Queen's. Arrangements are being made as we go to press by Hon. Mr. Gayton, and Mr. W. Nisbet, commissioners of Public Charities, by Mr. W. S. Fielding, M. P.P., and by Aldermen Mackintosh, MacCoy and Sedgewick to remove the inmates to the Exhibition Building where fires have been lighted and the place made as comfortable as possible.
The men of the Union Protection Company did good service in saving property, but after the fire got fairly started very little could be done, and comparatively little was saved.
There has not been such a large fire in Halifax for many years, and the death list is the largest ever known in the Province. Escape ladders were put about the building only about six weeks ago but they proved un-satisfactory. Possibly the inmates did not know how to use them. We were unable to get fuller details of the fire this morning, but our next issue will contain full particulars of this painful tragedy."