The Story of the Great Fire in St. John, N.b., June 20th, 1877

This is a firsthand account of one of the most devastating urban fires in Canadian history, written by an eyewitness to the catastrophe that struck St. John, New Brunswick on June 20th, 1877. George Stewart documents the terrifying speed at which the flames consumed the city, spreading from the waterfront inward and devouring vast swaths of the city within mere hours. He captures the chaos and desperation of residents racing to save their homes, their possessions, their lives, as well as the heroic (and often futile) efforts of firefighters battling an inferno that seemed unstoppable. Beyond the immediate horror, Stewart provides crucial historical context: St. John had long struggled with fire, and this catastrophe represented the culmination of years of accumulated risk and inadequate protection. The book stands as both a historical document and a testament to urban vulnerability in the age before modern fire codes. For readers drawn to disaster narratives, Canadian history, or the way cities remember and rebuild after catastrophe, this account offers an invaluable window into a pivotal moment in St. John's past.