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Toronto Fire Historical Society

Guardians of Toronto's Fire Service History

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We Continue To Document More Items Each Day

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From 1802 until the Present Day

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Eberline Geiger Counter-1950s

1910's - One of the First Badges Issued by Toronto Fire Department

Present Day Toronto Fire Services Patch

The SS Noronic Fire - September 1949

Toronto Fire Dept Book - Grain and Storage Fire 1902

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The Orient Trader Fire - July 21st, 1965 (3rd Alarm)

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tofirehistory

Guardians of Fire Service History. Share your Toronto Fire History with us at info@torontofirehistory.com
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On February 11, 1948, Toronto witnessed its most d

On February 11, 1948, Toronto witnessed its most dangerous inferno since the Great Fire of 1904. A massive fourth-alarm fire erupted at the British American Oil Company refinery on Keating Street, threatening to destroy the city’s waterfront with exploding tanks of naphtha and alcohol.
300 firefighters battled the blaze for 12 gruelling hours in freezing temperatures, wet snow, and blinding smoke. The heat was so intense it melted 1,000 feet of fire hose, leaving only the metal couplings behind. Led by Deputy Chief Albert Steen, crews managed to save the critical fuel tanks and avert a total catastrophe.
While the fire caused $375,499 in damages (a fortune in 1948), miraculous work by the department meant there was zero loss of life, though six firefighters were injured in the fight.
This event highlighted the true grit of the Toronto Fire Department, reminding the public that the job is incredibly dangerous.
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🗄️ torontofirehistorical archives

#TorontoHistory #OnThisDay #FirefighterHistory #torontofire #torontofirehistory torontofiredepartment cityoftoronto oilrefineryfire Heroism 1948 VintageToronto FireSafety FirstResponders CanadianHistory

Now available for pre-order! A new design inspired

Now available for pre-order! A new design inspired by the nostalgic look of the pre-amalgamation Toronto Fire Department. The navy Gildan 64000 SoftStyle tee is screen printed with a simple retro TFD design. The ‘half moon’ shoulder patch is on the front left chest, and TFD fleet lettering is boldly emblazoned across the back. ***THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM, SHIPPING MID MARCH*** go to; TORONTOFIREHISTORY.SQUARE.SITE

Now available for pre-order! Celebrate the ‘Orig

Now available for pre-order! Celebrate the ‘Original Six’ departments that went on to become Toronto Fire Services after amalgamation in 1998. Screenprinted on navy Gildan 64000 SoftStyle tees, this hockey-inspired retro design is sure to please. ***THIS IS A PRE-ORDER ITEM, SHIPPING MID MARCH*** go to; TORONTOFIREHISTORY.SQUARE.SITE

Tragedy struck in North York early morning on Janu

Tragedy struck in North York early morning on January 17, 1981 as a fire at the 22-storey Inn on the Park hotel claimed at least six lives. The blaze began around 2:30 a.m. and sent thick smoke throughout the tower. North York Fire Chief Joe Gibson stated that the smoke was worst at the very top of the tower, where conditions were most severe.
Fire department officials confirmed the blaze started in a second-floor activity room and quickly spread to the elevator shafts. At least 58 people were rushed to with smoke inhalation, though no serious injuries were reported among survivors. Four victims died in the stairwells and one suffered a fatal heart attack. The fire was extinguished after about 90 minutes.

#Toronto #InnOnThePark #BreakingNews #TorontoFire #HotelSafety TorontoNews

Wishing everyone a wonderful Merry Christmas and h

Wishing everyone a wonderful Merry Christmas and have a safe holiday season 🎄

#torontofirehistory #torontofirehistoricalsociety #merrychristmas #firedepartment

During the Yellow Truck days, Scarborough Fire had

During the Yellow Truck days, Scarborough Fire had the most unique colourization of fire apparatus in the Metro Toronto area. SFD ran yellow fire apparatus from the early 1970s until the late 1980’s when trucks started coming in the new Red bodies with white over red cabs. This 1984 Mack Thibault mid mount Aerial #3 ran out of Hall 3 on Warden just south of Eglinton. Now Toronto Fire Services Station 222.

Photo by Keith Hanley
October 29th, 1989

#scarboroughfire #scarboroughfire100 #scarboroughfiredepartment #sfd100 #tofirehistory #firehistory #historyoftoronto #mackfiretrucks #yellowfiretrucks

Lest we forget. Thank you to all those who served

Lest we forget. Thank you to all those who served and sacrificed, and to those who do so now. Words can never describe the gratitude we owe, but it means the world to those of us to enjoy our freedoms now.

“In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Sacred heard amid the guns below

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”
John McCrae

#remembranceday2025 #weremember #thankyouforyourservice #ww1 #ww2 #wewhosurvived #torontophotographer #remembranceday #theyshallnotgrowold #lestweforget

Join us to celebrate Scarborough Fire Department’s 100th Anniversary! Enjoy a short ceremony with guest speeches, a ceremonial cornerstone re-dedication, and a display of the original trowel used to build the first firehall. Bring the family — kids’ balloons and fire helmets, anniversary swag for sale, and a fundraising BBQ will be available. Come honor a century of service and community — everyone welcome.

#scarboroughfire #historyofscarborough #scarboroughfiredepartment #torontofireservices #cityofscarborough #torontofirehistory #scarborough

Former TFD 12 Hall at 160 Boulton Ave, Riverdale.

Former TFD 12 Hall at 160 Boulton Ave, Riverdale. Circa 1920s, featuring the 1924 ALF Type 33 Tiller. 12 Hall served from 1884 until replaced in 1932 by the hall at 840 Gerrard St E. Today it’s Station 324.
Do you recognize any of the firefighters in this photo or have more info? Leave a comment below — any leads or stories welcome!

#FireHistory #FireApparatus #TorontoFire #VintageFirefighters #HistoricFireDept #TFDHistory #ALFType33 #Station324

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A Special Thanks To Toronto Fire Services, and The Toronto Professional Firefighters Association For Their Continued Support