Halifax Fire Historical Society

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Halifax Fire Historical Society

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Promoting the Halifax Fire Department history through research and awareness.

10/28/2026

1894 Babcock Chemical and Ladder Truck ~ MicMac
• Manufactured by Babcock Manufacturing Co.
The chemical engines were essentially 30 gallon soda-acid extinguishers on wheels. 2 1/2 pounds of bicarbonate of soda was dissolved into 30 gallons of water. Approximately a quart of hydrochloric acid was suspended above the mix. When you got to the fire, you turned the tank upside down, the acid mixed with the bicarbonate of soda mix and this created carbon dioxide gas which pushed the soda-acid mix through the hose and nozzle to extinguish the fire.
https://www.hfxfirehistory.ca/apparatus/babcock-chemical-and-ladder-truck-micmac
Firefighters' Museum of Nova Scotia

10/27/2026

William Arthur
Badge #1
1947-1979
Retired District Chief
Might you or someone you know have more information? If so we would love to have it to add to our website.
https://www.hfxfirehistory.ca/people/william-arthur

10/22/2026

🔥 It’s Ticket Day! 🔥
Last week’s winner walked away with over $300,000!
We’d love to see one of our amazing supporters take home the cash! 🎉
⏳ Ticket deadline: 9 PM tonight!
🎟️ Grab yours now! firefighters5050.com/182
Thank you for your support, and best of luck! 🚒❤️

Weekly 50/50 Jackpot Supporting N.S. Firefighters! Draw #331

10/21/2026

Before the construction of its first central fire station, the town's engine and axe companies lacked a space where they could service their equipment and conduct business, such as meetings and other functions. The buildings were truly “engine houses,” as their sole purpose was to store the town's engines and related equipment. The Union Engine Company needed to use the blacksmith shops to maintain the engines after a fire. After six years of discussion between the Company and the Board of Fire Wardens, combined with the events of 1836, the necessity for a central engine house within the Town of Halifax could not be ignored any longer.

The Union Engine Company wrote directly to the Court of Quarter Sessions on July 29, 1836, to explain their situation: https://www.hfxfirehistory.ca/stations/grand-parade-uec

10/20/2026

On February 1, 1831, a residence known as Studley House caught fire; it had been built by Judge Alexander Croke, circa 1802, where Dalhousie University's Arts and Administration Building now stands. When Croke left Nova Scotia, it was purchased by ex-Hand in Hand Fire Company member Matthew Richardson. Here is the Acadian Recorder newspaper article: https://www.hfxfirehistory.ca/historical-events/studley-house-fire

10/15/2026

🔥 It’s Ticket Day! 🔥
Last week’s winner walked away with almost $300,000!
We’d love to see one of our amazing supporters take home the cash! 🎉
⏳ Ticket deadline: 9 PM tonight!
🎟️ Grab yours now! firefighters5050.com/182
Thank you for your support, and best of luck! 🚒❤️

Weekly 50/50 Jackpot Supporting N.S. Firefighters! Draw #331

10/14/2026

Resolved that the board of Fire Wards be instructed to purchase a suitable ladder cart for the Axe Fire Company the cost of which shall not exceed $300 moved by Alderman O'Connor seconded by Alderman McCotton which resolution on being first is passed.

Source:http://legacycontent.halifax.ca/archives/HalifaxCityMinutes/documents/102-1a-1882-03-27to1882-09-05p417-489.pdf page 482

10/10/2026

1892 Holloway, designated as Chemical 2, the same apparatus driven by William Fidler before his retirement. William 'Bull' Maguire at the helm here in 1955.

10/06/2026

Fire suppression for the general public has been a "hot" topic going back as far as 1723 when British chemist, Ambrose Godfrey invented the first automatic fire extinguisher. A wooden cask containing liquid and a pewter chamber full of gunpowder, it was thrown into the fire. When the fuse ignited the gunpowder, it exploded, causing the liquid to disperse into the fire, hopefully extinguishing it.
The invention of the Carbon Tetrachloride extinguisher in 1912 followed by the introduction of the Soda Acid extinguisher in 1923 made home owner extinguishment even more accessible.
Having the ability to attempt to extinguish your own fires came with extreme danger for the untrained, so fire departments everywhere began educating the general public about their use. Regular programs like made education more readily available and has continued to grow and benefit the public up to today.
For we'd like to share some of these demonstrations from our past and encourage all of you to check your own extinguishers, make sure they're readily available near an exit from your home, and if you ever have questions about your own home safety, please contact Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency to speak with our division of .

Address

5988 University Avenue
Halifax, NS
B3H4H7

Website

http://Hfxfirehistory.ca/

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