HomeMy WebLinkAbout448"Articel copied from the Pickering News, June 26, 1908, page 8.
—About two o'clock on Wednesday morning our residents were rudely
awakened by the sounding of the fire alarm. On looking out the sky was seen to
be illuminated by flames bursting through the roof of the Friends meeting house.
In a few minutes a large number had gathered to watch the well-known structure
familiar to the eye of many thousands, being rapidly reduced to ashes.
The yearly meeting of the Friends had been concluded the evening before,
and the visitors were about to return to their homes, but they were not allowed to
return without heavy hearts, knowing that their beloved place of worship was a
mass of ruins. The cause of the fire was undoubtedly lightning. Tuesday evening a
very heavy thunder storm passed over this locality, and about 11.40 a bolt of lightning,
followed immediately by a deafening crash of thunder, alarmed many of our residents
who felt confident something had been struck. As no fire appeared for some time,
no one thought anything more of the matter until the alarm sounded.
The building cost $6000 when it was erected in 1867, but it has of late been valued at
$4000. The building was insured in the Western Insurance Co. for $1000.
The walls still remain intact. There was also destroyed a valuable library of some
five hundred volumes. This loss is felt very keenly as the most of the books cannot be
replaced. The fire engine was taken out but as the building was more than half
destroyed before the alarm was given it was useless in saving the church but the
outer sheds were saved from the flames. Whether or not the house will be rebuilt will
depend upon the decision of the representatives meeting which will be held at an
early date. The feeling among the friends here is that the structure will be rebuilt
but on a smaller scale than formerly, yet of sufficient dimensions to accommodate the
demands of the Friends at the present time.
"