HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2005-10-05, Page 41Wednesday,October 5, 2005
HISTORICAL FIRE
Exeter Times—Advocate
FXETER FI1IEFIGLITERS
James Street United Church steeple fire
August 23, 1918
The steeple of James
Street Methodist Church
was destroyed by fire on
Friday evening of last
week and it was only by
heroic efforts that this
large structure was saved
from being totally
destroyed. The fire had
gained such headway that
it was thought at one time
the building was doomed.
During Friday afternoon
a storm threatened this
section and a slight rain
fell shortly after six
o'clock, a streak of light-
ning followed by a large
clap of thunder struck the
spire of the church, this
being about the only
severe flash during the
storm. Shortly after smoke
and fire were seen issuing
from the building, a fire
alarm was sent in, and in
a short time the firemen
were on the scene.
A bucket brigade car-
ried water to the inside of
the tower and smothered
out the falling embers. It
was with difficulty that the
flames were confined to
the tower. The roof took
fire in several places. A
ladder was run up to the
roof and the firemen
fought the flames from
near the top of the ladder.
When the tower fell, Mr.
Thomas Creech was on
the ladder and it came his
way. He promptly swung
around under the ladder
Exeter James Street Church.
The tower was hit by lightning
Aug. 23, 1918
close under the eave, and
the tower missing him by
just a few feet.
The auditorium of the
church was flooded with
water, which soaked into
the basement. A small
piece of plaster fell in the
sanctuary otherwise the
damage was not great.
The fire caused great
excitement and a large
crowd was soon on the
ground.
Workmen on Saturday
ran a very hazardous risk
in removing the hanging
brick and timbers.
Everything got into shape
and service was held as
usual on Sunday with the
exception the evening ser-
vice was held at seven
o'clock instead of eight on
account of the electric
light service being cut off.
It is said that lightning
seldom strikes twice in the
same place but this was
the second time the spire
had been struck, the other
time about two years ago,
at that time dislodging a
number of bricks. James
Street Church is one of the
landmarks of Exeter and
has warm associations in
the hearts of many people,
not only in Exeter, but by
many who have gone out
from this community. That
the church was spared is a
source of great joy. Just
what will be done to
replace the tower has not
been decided. A church
bell has been suggested,
as has also a clock. It is
hardly likely the old spire
will be replaced.
Note from Olive Parsons
re. the church spire fire:
In the late afternoon of
August 23, 1918, our
father the late Roy
Parsons was driving into
Thanks to our Volunteer
Firefighters for their
professionalism and dedication
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town from the south, in his
horse and buggy. After
turning onto Huron Street
East in a thunderstorm, he
saw lightning strike the
spire of James Street
Church and the resulting
fire. He shouted to the
men working in the black-
smith shop of old Devon,
and a Mr. Ed Dignan, who
was a fireman, raced up
main street to spread the
alarm and get the fire
engine. They managed to
save the church which has
been enjoyed by many
families before and since
over the years.
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SOUTH HURON
390 MAIN STREET SOUTH - EXETER
PHONE 235-4892 FAX 235-2730
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EXETER
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MUNICIPALITY OF
South Huron Volunteer Firefighters
Dedicate their Time and Risk their Lives
to help others.
THANK YOU
for your devotion
to the safety of our community.
The Municipality of South Huron
Mayor Robert Morley
Deputy Mayor Dave Urlin Councillor Peter Armstrong
Councillor Jim Dietrich Councillor Ken Oke
Councillor Harvey Ratz Councillor George Robertson
In Appreciation of your
Dedicated Service
Smith -Peat
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152 Thames Rd. West
Exeter, Ontario NOM 153
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