Halifax Fire Historical Society

09/03/2026

🔥 It’s Ticket Day! 🔥
Last week’s winner walked away with over $305,000!
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! 🚒❤️

09/01/2026

The Buckingham Street Fire of 1753 was the first documented fatal fire in Halifax.

On Thursday, September 1, 1753, between 2:00 and 3:00 a.m., a fire broke out in a dwelling house on Buckingham Street, next door to a bakery owned by Mr. Cowey (possibly Robert Cowie). The fire quickly consumed both the dwelling house and an adjacent barn.

Conditions that day—little wind and a very high tide—prevented what could have been a much more extensive disaster. The fire occurred during a dry period, and many valuable homes and stores stood nearby. According to the report, it was “vastly the more favourable” that the weather prevented the flames from spreading, and the “vigilance and activity of the people” ensured that further destruction was avoided.
Learn more: https://www.hfxfirehistory.ca/fires/buckingham-street-fire

08/28/2026

On Monday, July 27, 1789, the very first Court House built in Halifax (circled in red on image below) was destroyed by fire along with several other buildings. It sat at the corner of Buckingham & Argyle Streets (now part of Scotia Square). This account of the fire is from the Royal Gazette: https://www.hfxfirehistory.ca/historical-events/the-loss-of-the-first-courthouse-by-fire

08/27/2026

Amazing to see the process. Wheels like this were used on many of our hosecarts and steamers. Would have been a great class trip had we known. We’ll be watching for the next one!

08/26/2026

The Bridewell Engine House (1848–1858)

In 1848, an engine house was built on the Bridewell Grounds to house the old No. 2 Engine, which was later designated as No. 6 Engine House. The location was near what is now the Presbyterian Church of St. David, at 1544 Grafton Street. The Halifax City Council approved the construction, with the estimated cost being between forty and forty-five pounds. The specifications called for a wooden structure with a dry stone foundation, a chimney, and Venetian blinds​.

Destruction of the Bridewell Engine House by Fire (1858)

In the early hours of June 6, 1858, the engine house at the Bridewell Grounds was destroyed by fire. A man named Lowry managed to save the engine and hose before the building was lost. The estimated financial loss to the city was £150. Afterward, the No. 6 Engine, known as the “Alma,” was temporarily housed in a barn owned by J. R. Foreman on Birmingham Street​.

08/20/2026

Why, Halifax’s Fire History, of course!

It’s an important passion to share, or at least we think so! 😉

~ Jeff

08/20/2026

🔥 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! 🚒❤️

08/14/2026

After the first structures had been erected in Halifax, two fire engines were unloaded from Edward Cornwallis' ship, the Sphynx, the care of which was given to the military.
It currently remains an educated guess but there is a strong possibility that these hand tubs, being of British history, were most likely Newsham designed pumpers.
Learn more: https://www.hfxfirehistory.ca/apparatus/2-
hand-pumped-engines

08/13/2026

🔥 It’s Ticket Day! 🔥
Last week’s winner walked away with over $310,000!
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 #324