From ashes to action: Exhibit connects historic Galt fires to future safety

A walk down memory lane revealed tales of loss, resiliency, and hopes for a safer future. CTV’s Hannah Schmidt has more from the ‘Flames of Change’ event.

In the heart of downtown Galt sparks of the past can still be felt.

“Over the years, we’ve had a lot of fires downtown here,” explained Ray Martin, vice-chair of the Cambridge Fire Hall Museum and Education Centre. “Main Street is completely changed from what it was when the first settlers came.”

The ‘Flames of Change’ event is turning up the heat on history, spotlighting major fires that scarred and shaped Cambridge.

“You have basically a completely changed landscape,” said Martin. “Every building on Main Street burned at one point in time.”

From charred storefronts to crumbled landmarks, each blaze left a mark.

“The Jolly Jumper fire that happened to take place in June of 1992 - they had a fire muster that was happening in Dixon Park and at the other end of Water Street, the Jolly Jumper building caught fire,” explained Martin. “The Iroquois Hotel burned down, it’s now a parking lot,” said Martin. “The Granite Block, which is the historic block that everyone likes to preserve, burned down three times over the course of the years. And basically, they’ve been rebuilt into what we have today.”

“There were quite a few [fires] in the late 90s, early 2000s,” said Terry Allen, retired fire chief with the Cambridge Fire Department. “A number of large buildings that were major manufacturers became vacant. And so, they were subject to some large fires.”

These aren’t just stories of loss. Organizers said they’re stories of rebirth and lessons in vigilance.

“We’re fortunate in that the building codes, fire codes and so on have come into place and we’re seeing a lot fewer fires as a result,” said Martin.

“We learned a lot about how to fight fires and major structures like that,” added Allen.

As Emergency Preparedness Week kicks off across Canada, organizers said this event underscores the past to protect the future, reminding residents that readiness today can stop history from repeating itself.

“Raising awareness of being prepared for a major emergency, that would be huge,” said Martin.

In a city forged by flame and fortified by memory, Flames of Change sparks not just reflection, but action.

“This museum is unique,” said Allen. “We have people coming from all over Ontario that are thinking of setting up museums just like this.”

More information on the ‘Flames of Change’ event can be found on the museum’s website.