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Fire of 1909
The fire that swept from
North Enderby to Mara began May 3rd, 1909, the day some call "Blue Monday". The
fire was believed to have started as a result of a spark from the CPR locomotive igniting
a nearby slash pile in the field of Mr. Fenton. He had been clearing his land and left
dozens of such slash piles scattered throughout the field.
Because of a strong southerly wind (which switched directions frequently),
the little spark grew into an uncontrollable blaze, pushing itself north. The flames and
sparks skipped from farm to farm through the small community of Grindrod. It devastated Mara the most, with flames jumping from either side of
the river. With no knowledge of the approaching fire, residents of Mara were completely
unprepared for this devastating fire.
The fire finally came to a standstill and died out between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on May 4th,
at the Cadden Place (a swampy, skunk cabbage area) in Mara.
This infuriating fire left grievous losses for many homeowners and farmers, including:
G.Bell $ 3,500
E.Bennett $ 600
H.Blurton $ 200
W.Cadden $ 200
T.Dickie $ 300
A.H.Duncan $ 2,500
T.Gray $ 300
G.Lambert $ 900
C.Little $ 1,200
G.Little $ 3,000
G.McEwen $ 400
D.McManus $ 1,200
G.Neve $ 400
S.Putula $ 1,200
N.Robertson $ 450
M.E.Rosoman $ 3,000
Rothsay Lumber Co. $ 7,000
W. Witala $ 300
The estimates of building losses came to a $ 26,650 total, not to mention the amounts lost
in livestock, orchard crops, thirty miles of fencing, standing timber, and sixteen miles
of numerous telegraph poles. Thirty miles of green wilderness, vegetation and forestry
were completely wiped out. All that were seen afterwards were the charcoaled black stubs,
and tragedy - stricken families salvaging belongings from not only homes completely
blackened, but from the Shuswap River and from pits dug to save valuable belongings.
Surrounding communities offered assistance to these farmers and homeowners in need. They
were all strong and pulled together in their time of misfortune, and showed, successfully,
great efforts in accommodating each other.
This tragic fire brought out the spirit of the pioneer in these people as they struggled
to recover their lost possessions, rebuild and help their neighbors.
Bernadette Donovan
ALF School 1989