Today marks the 80th anniversary of one of the province’s deadliest fires.
On the evening of December 12, 1942, hundreds of WWII soldiers and local residents gathered at the Knights of Columbus Hostel on Harvey Road for Uncle Tim’s Barn Dance, a live music show that was being aired on VOCM.
Photo via Maritime History Archive
Soon after 11:00 p.m., someone shouted “Fire!” and radio listeners at home were horrified to hear the chaos and screams until the broadcast suddenly went silent.
Photo via Craig Baird on Twitter
Ninety-nine people died in the conflagration, which many believed to have been caused by wartime sabotage. It was discovered that the doors opened inwards, and couldn’t be opened with the crush of people against them, contributing to the high death toll.
Photo by John Daniel Mahoney
Photo by John Daniel Mahoney
A vigil is held each year at the KofC memorial on Harvey Road.
A list of casualties submitted by Justice Brian Dunfield of the public enquiry into the fire. Retrieved from MUN Digital Archives
