The January 1, 1857 Halifax Fire: Pulling Down of a House and Ramifications
Overview of the Fire
On January 1, 1857, Halifax experienced one of its most rapid and destructive fires, now referred to as the New Year's Day Fire. The fire started at Donohue’s Dry Goods Store on the corner of Prince Street and Hollis Street. Despite little wind, the fire spread incredibly fast.
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Within 40 minutes, flames reached St. Matthew’s Church, which was completely destroyed.
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The steeple collapsed with a tremendous crash, marking what was likely the first time a church was lost to fire in Halifax.
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The fire continued along Prince Street and consumed Somerset House and most surrounding buildings.
Pulling Down of a House to Stop the Fire
As the fire raged unchecked, it was finally stopped by pulling down the house occupied by Mr. Drake on Hollis Street.
Why Was the House Pulled Down?
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This was a common fire containment method in 19th-century Halifax, authorized by fire laws dating back to 1752 and 1762.
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The rationale was that destroying buildings in the fire’s path could starve the flames of fuel and prevent further spread.
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It was reported that brick and stone buildings played a crucial role in containing the fire by withstanding flames for three hours—otherwise, the entire square might have been destroyed.
Ramifications and Aftermath
The aftermath of the fire led to several major consequences, including public scrutiny of the fire department, city reforms, and investigations into the water supply failure.
1. Public Response & Firefighter Recognition
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The Union Engine Company and the Axe Fire Company were widely credited with preventing even greater disaster.
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On January 26, 1857, Halifax City Council formally thanked the Union Engine Company, stating their efforts and bravery “stayed the conflagration” at great personal risk.
2. Fire Regulations & Building Code Changes
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The City Council immediately formed a committee to draft a bill for the Legislative Assembly to limit the height of wooden buildings in Halifax.
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A second committee was established to develop a playbook for fire response, which today would be called standard operating procedures (SOPs).
3. Water Supply Investigation
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A major issue during the fire was a lack of concentrated water supply.
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City Council launched an official inquiry into the Halifax Water Company, demanding an explanation for why the water pressure had been insufficient during the conflagration.
4. Fire Department Reforms
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The fire and its aftermath shifted public perception of the fire service.
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Prior to this, failures in fire suppression were often blamed on the severity of the fire rather than the fire department.
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By the late 1850s, however, Halifax citizens began scrutinizing their fire services more critically, marking a shift in expectations.
Conclusion
The January 1, 1857 fire was one of the most significant in Halifax’s history, not just because of its destruction but due to its impact on fire prevention policies. The pulling down of Mr. Drake’s house was a last-resort strategy that helped contain the fire but also raised questions about the effectiveness of the city’s fire service and infrastructure.
Note:
In total, six houses were torn down to stop this fire including one owned by Stephen Seldon.
Aside from Stephen Seldon's house, the other houses deliberately pulled down on January 1, 1857, belonged to:
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Francis Drake & Son (a shop)
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William Lithgow (a watchmaking and repair establishment)
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John Pugh (his store was where the fire stopped)
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The Studley family (three wooden buildings at the corner of Prince Street)
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John Wenmore (his dwelling near Sackville Street)
These buildings were destroyed to prevent the further spread of the fire, which ultimately consumed a significant part of Halifax.
The Fire and Legal Dispute
On January 1, 1857, Seldon's house on Granville Street was deliberately pulled down by city authorities to prevent the spread of a major fire. The Lieutenant Governor, Gaspard Le Marchant, was present at the scene and actively involved in firefighting efforts. He consulted Fireward Daniel O'Brien and two Aldermen, William MacKay and John Barry, who collectively agreed that demolishing Seldon's house was necessary. The Lieutenant Governor then ordered its destruction. Seldon later complained that the demolition was carried out so quickly that "my friends were prevented from saving much of my furniture and effects and were actually forced from the premises".
Seldon sought compensation from the city but was denied, prompting him to hire a lawyer. He successfully sued the Halifax Insurance Company, receiving £300 in damages on December 24, 1857. However, his legal battle with the city continued.
Legislative and City Council Response
In 1858, the Nova Scotia Legislature passed An Act for the Relief of Stephen Seldon, which stated that the order to demolish his house should be treated as if it had been given in accordance with the law. This theoretically entitled Seldon to compensation from the city. However, under public pressure, Halifax City Council opposed the act and organized a public meeting at Temperance Hall on August 15, 1858, where they argued that:
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Seldon's house was insured, so he had already received compensation.
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Seldon's lawyer, J.W. Johnston, was also the Attorney General and leader of the provincial government, which they claimed was a conflict of interest.
As a result, the government dropped the law in 1859. Despite this, Seldon's lawyer continued to push for compensation, writing another letter to the city council on June 4, 1859, urging them to assess and pay damages promptly. The matter was assigned to a committee, which finally, on September 15, 1859, acknowledged that Seldon had "just grounds to solicit compensation" but still hesitated to approve his claim as a legal right.
Ultimately, the committee appraised Seldon's house at £644. Since he had already received £300 from his insurance, they recommended that the city pay him £344. However, there is no record confirming whether he ever received this amount.
Broader Impact
Seldon's case illustrates the challenges Halifax residents faced in securing compensation when their homes were destroyed for fire prevention. The city council's records contain multiple similar cases, reflecting the ongoing legal and financial struggles tied to firefighting practices in the 19th century.