Great Fire of Toronto (1849)

Much of the Market Block, the business core of the city, was wiped out, including the predecessor of the current St. James Cathedral.

The 1831 building of the Toronto City Hall and St. Lawrence Market south of King was damaged and was torn down.

Manual pumpers and tankers involved far too much manpower and would prove to be no match for the speed of a major fire.

The fire spread through the whole block, destroying the Home District Saving Bank and frame buildings to the east on King Street.

The fire spread to the south side of King Street and the 'old' (1831) Toronto City Hall and market building.

This wet down the roofs of buildings to the west, making it harder for flying brands to ignite them.

[7] One life was lost, Richard Watson, publisher of the Canadian and Upper Canada Gazette journals, was in the office of The Patriot newspaper on Nelson, attempting to save printer types, when the floor collapsed, and he was trapped in the fire.

King Street looking west from Jarvis Street prior to 1849. All buildings to the right of the tree were destroyed by the fire. The first building on the left, the former City Hall, was damaged as were some of the buildings to the west.
1831 City Hall and market building at King and Nelson (Jarvis)
Area of cathedral fire in 1849
Cathedral Church of St. James after 1849 fire