Moncton’s Capitol Theatre remembers historic fatal fire a century later

A firefighter who died in 1926 while battling a fire at the Capitol Theatre in Moncton now has a permanent memorial.

A piece of Moncton’s history was remembered Thursday, exactly 100 years after a fire destroyed the Capitol Theatre and neighbouring Empress Theatre.

The 1926 blaze claimed the life of Moncton resident Alexander “Sandy” Lindsay, who was 57 years old at the time. Lindsay was responding as part of the Moncton Salvage Corps, a group that regularly assisted the fire department at major fires in those days.

A small ceremony was held inside the Capitol Theatre, where community members, theatre staff and firefighters gathered to mark the anniversary and honour Lindsay’s sacrifice.

“It’s a little surreal that at this very moment the Moncton Fire Department was responding to a major fire… the entire building was lost straight down to the brick walls,” said managing director Kim Rayworth.

The cause of the fire was never determined, but reports at the time said it appeared to have started near the stage which was above the boiler room and electrical switchboard that controlled thousands of lights. Damage was estimated at about $200,000, and both theatres lost multiple film projectors used for screenings.

At the time, the Capitol Theatre had been operating for just a few years and was one of several theatres in downtown Moncton. It was a key part of the city’s social and cultural life.

“I think it was definitely a part of people’s civic life… it’s been the heart of a community gathering and the celebration of arts and culture for a very long time,” Rayworth said.

During the ceremony, the theatre unveiled a dedicated seat in Lindsay’s honour, marked with a small brass plaque.

Rayworth said the goal is to keep his story alive for future generations.

“We just want to keep that memory alive… and make sure his sacrifice is not forgotten,” she said.

Moncton Fire Department Deputy Chief Keith Guptill said the risks faced by firefighters in 1926 were even greater than today, with fewer tools and less infrastructure available.

“Back in those days they did a lot of this work by strength of character and arm strength, they didn’t have the same kind of equipment,” he said.

Despite those challenges, he said firefighters at the time were driven by a sense of duty to their community.

“It’s great pride that we recognize the sacrifice that Alexander Lindsay made trying to protect this building and the surrounding buildings,” he said.

Rayworth became emotional while speaking about Lindsay, saying she feels a strong connection to his story and the role he played in trying to save the theatre.

She said the theatre has even brought in a paranormal investigator over the years, as some staff and visitors believe Lindsay’s presence can still be felt inside the building.

She said she hopes the tribute will prompt visitors to learn more about the history behind the name.

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