Fire investigations by the Fire Section, 1956

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Fire investigations by the Fire Section, 1956

(Photo

by Beauchamp

Studio, Valleyf l e l d , ~ u e ) Scene following a serious f i r e

a t

Valleyfield, Que. on 30

D e c e m b e ~

1956.

DBR Repopt

No.

40

NATIONAL RESEARCH C O U N C I L O F CANADA D I V I S I O N O F B U I L D I N G RESEARCH F I R E I N V E S T I G A T I O N S BY THE F I R E S E C T I O N ,

1956

by G.W. S h o r t e r and C.G. B u r n e t t R e p o r t No.

140

of t h e D i v i s i o n of Building R e s e a r c h O t t a w a March

1958

PREFACE

T h i s i s a f u r t h e r p r o g r e s s r e p o r t of t h e s t u d i e s b e i n g made by t h e F i r e S e c t i o n of t h e D i v i s i o n of B u i l d i n g Research of t h o s e f i r e s

i n

b u i l d i n g s which o c c u r r e d

i n

the y e a r

1956,

which t h e s t a f f were a b l e t o v l . s i t . T h i s work i s a c o n t i n u a t i o n of t h e e f f o r t s b e i n g made, by t h e D i v i s i o n a s i t s c o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e improvement of t h e t r a g i o f i r e l o s s , b o t h o f l i v e s and p r o p e r t y , which o c c u r s e v e r y y e a r

i n

Canada.

T h i s r e p o r t i s t h e t h i r d such r e p o r t t o be i s s u e d , When enough i n f o r m a t i o n h a s been assembled

i n

t h e s e a n n u a l reviews a comprehensive g e n e r a l papor on t h e r e s u l t s o b t a i n e d w i l l be p r e p a r e d and p u b l i s h e d .

A s

i n

p r e v i o u s y e a r s t h e s e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s have been c o n f i n e d t o t h e Ottawa a r e a w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n of the bad f i r e

i n

V a l l e y f i e l d , PeQo Other f i e l d s t u d i e s have been c o n t i n u e d i n t o t h e s t u d y o f f i r e f a t a l i t i e s which o c c u r r e d

i n

t h e Province o f O n t a r i o and t h e s e a r e r e c o r d e d

i n

a n o t h e r s e r i e s of r e p o r t s .

The c o n t i n u e d c o - o p e r a t i o n of the Ottawa F i r e Department and t h e o f f i c e of t h e O n t a r i o F i r e Marshal i s g r e a t l y a p p r e c i a t e d and valued. Ottawa March

1958

RoF, Legget D i r e c t o r

FIRE INVESTIGATIONS BY THE FIRE SECTION,

1956

G.W. S h o r t e r and C O G . Burnett

During

1956

t h e F i r e S e c t i o n continued t o study f a t a l and n o n - f a t a l f i r e s . This r e p o r t d e a l s w i t h the s t u d y of non- f a t a l f i r e s and i s a companion r e p o r t t o DBR Reports Nos, 78

and 1 0 1 covering work i n t h i s f i e l d from 1950 t o

1955,

i n c l u s i v e . I t i s the t h i r d i n a s e r i e s of what v r i l l now be annual r e p o r t s . While only e i g h t n o n - f a t a l f i r e s a r e r e p o r t e d on f o r

1956,

the F i r e S e c t i o n has s t u d i e d f i f t e e n f a t a l f i r e s i n the Province of Ontario during t h e same p e r i o d a s compared w i t h nine f a t a l f i r e s i n v e s t i g a t e d d u r i n g

1955.

Theso s t u d i e s of f a t a l f i r e s 'nave been recorded i n DBR Reports Nos. 71, 90 and 127 f o r t h e y e a r s

1954

t o

1956,

inclusive.

Although the F i r e S e c t l o n g e n e r a l l y r e s t r i c t s i t s i n v e s t i g a t i o n work a t n o n - f a t a l f i r e s t o t h e Ottawa area i t has over t h e y e a r s attempted, where p o s s i b l e , t o v i s i t scenes of l a r g e f i r e s i n o t h o r l o c a l i t f e s . During

1956

one sucll v i s i t was paid t o the scene of a l a r g e f i r e which occurred a t

Valleyf i e l d , Quebec on 30 December,

1956.

During t h e y e a r two-way r a d i o communication was a c q u i r e d f o r t h e f i r e r e s e a r c h v e h i c l e which i s used f o r f i r e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s . Permission was granted by t h e Ottawa F i r e Department t o o p e r a t e on the r a d i o frequency used by t h i s department vrhich once more

emphasizes t h e s p l e n a i d co-oporation extended t o the F i r e Section. The a c q u i s i t i o n of r a d i o has i n c r e a s e d t h e use of t h e f i r e v e h i c l e i n providing d i r e c t c o n t a c t w i t h f i r e department h e a d q u a r t e r s

d u r i n g t h e f i e l d s t u d y of f i r o s and t h e survey on d e f e c t i v e

chimneys i n t h e Ottawa a r e a t h a t was undertalcen during l a s t w i n t e r , P r e s e n t a t i o n of Data

A s i n

1955

t h i s r e p o r t c o n t a i n s summaries of t h e e i g h t f i r e s i n v e s t i g a t e d d u r i n g

1956

a s w e l l a s photographs taken a t the scenes of the f i r e s , The f i r e s a r e d e s c r i b e d under f i v e headings: ( a ) General; ( b ) Weather Data; ( c ) Construction;

( d ) Spread of F i r e ; ( e ) Remarks, The weather d a t a i s i n c l u d e d . t o i n d i c a t e c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s a t v a r i o u s times i n Canada,

When one s t u d i e s tho weather c o n d i t i o n s e x i s t i n g a t the time of the f i r e s r e p o r t e d and t h e v a r i o u s h e a t i n g a p p l i a n c e s used, i t

beoomes e v i d e n t t h a t cold weather n o t only i n c r e a s e s the incidence of f i r e s b u t a l s o t h e i r s e v e r i t y . E f f i c i e n t f i r e f i g h t i n g o p e r a t i o n s can be s e v e r e l y o b s t r u c t e d d u r i n g c o l d weather. Such c o n d i t i o n s a s i c i n g , and frozen water l i n e s , combined w i t h t h e heavy c l o t h i n g r e q u i r e d by the f i r e f i g h t e r , a r e some of the problems encountered i n t h e handling of f i r e equipment and t h e c o n t r o l of f i r e

Data f o r a l l t h e f i r e s i n v e s t i g a t e d s i n c e 1950 have, however, been used f o r the b r i e f a n a l y s i s appearing i n Appendix

A. Graphs ( ~ i g s . A - 1 A-2 and

A-3)

show the frequency d i s t r i - b u t i o n of f i r e s by (a1 month (b) day o f r e e k and ( c ) h o w of day, r e s p e c t i v e l y . I n a d d i t i o n , o t h e r miscellaneous d a t a on

t h e f i r e s by occupancy are presented i n Table A-1, I t should be emphasized t h a t t h i s a n a l y s i s i l l u s t r a t e s t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n of only t h o s e f i r e s which have been i n v e s t i g a t e d by t h e F i r e S e c t i o n and does n o t apply t o f i r e s i n general.

The b u i l d i n g r e f e r r e d t o i n the c a p t i o n f o r each summary i s always t h a t i n which t h e f i r e o r i g i n a t e d , The l o s s e s r e p o r t e d r e f e r not only t o t h i s b u i l d i n g b u t a l s o t o any o t h e r s involved i n the f i r e . The f i g u r e s given a r e only approximate v a l u e s and

may vary considerably from t h e a c t u a l l o s s e s s u s t a i n e d . They a r e included, however, to give some i d e a of the s i z e of t h e f i r e .

Date of F i r e :

8

January

1956

Location:

_L_-

Ottawa,

Ont.

Time of Alarm:

10.53

p,m. (EST)

-

Day of Week: Sunday

No. of S t o r y s :

3

-

Estimated Loss: $40,000

-

RESIDENTIAL

TENEMENT

ROW

GENERAL.

-

The b r i c k veneer s ix-door tenement accornmoda t e d m m a t e l y f i f t y people most of whom were i n r e s i d e n c e a t

t h e time of t h e f i r e . The f i r e i s believed t o have s t a r t e d i n t h e s o u t h end of t h e b u i l d i n g on t h e t h i r d f l o o r (Fig. 1) b u t a d e f i n l t e cause could not be determined. The f i r e was discovered by a n occupant who n o t i c e d t h a t t h e temperature was becoming abnormally high i n the b u i l d i n g .

WEATHER DATA

Date

-

-

Time Temp. (OF.) R.H.

( 5 )

Wind Veloci- ( M P H ~ Jan.

8

1 0 porno (EST) 10

81

Jan.

8

11 porn. (EST) 12 82 Jan.

8

12 p.m. ( E S T ) 12

80

CONSTRUCTION,

-

The b r i c k veneer b u i l d i n g was t h r e e s t o r y s i n h e i g h t , m f e e t i n l e n g t h and 30 f e e t i n width. The t h i r d f l o o r

s e c t i o n was wood c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h a mansard roof covered w i t h a s b e s t o s s h i n g l e s on the p i t c h e d s i d e s and w i t h t a r and g r a v e l on the f l a t s e c t i o n , I n t e r i o r c o n s t r u c t i o n was wood l a t h and p l a s t e r . An open space between the t h i r d f l o o r c e i l i n g and roof extended the l e n g t h of the building.

SPREAD OF FIRE,

-

The f i r e was b e l i e v e d t o have s t a r t e d on the t h i r d f l o o r l e v e l (Fig. 2 ) extending t o t h e space under the roof and i n t h e w a l l s t o the second f l o o r ( F i g , 3 ) .

REMARKS.

-

F a i l u r e t o i n v e s t i g a t e r i s i n g temperatures i n the b u i m g permitted the f i r e t o spread b e f o r e b e i n g d e t e c t e d . No parapeted f i r e w a l l s s e p a r a t e d t h i s b u i l d i n g and t h e f i r e was permitted t o extend t h e l e n g t h of the b u i l d i n g i n t h e unused a t t i c space under t h e roof.

Date of F i r e : 20 May

1956

L o c a t i o n : Ottawa, Ont, Timo of Alarm: 7,15 p.m, (EDT) Day of Week: Sunday

No. of S t o r g s : 2 Estimated Loss: $75,000 WAREHOUSE AND DWELLINGS

GENERAL,

-

A t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 7.15 p.m. e x p l o d i n g f i r e c r a c k e r s = n i t e x a l a r g e wooden b u i l d i n g f o r m e r l y used a s an ic e-house

and p r e s e n t l y b e i n g used a s a s t o r a g e shed f o r machinery and equipment, The b u i l d i n g was l o c a t e d i n a n a r e a o f wood

c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h wood s h i n g l e r o o f s ( F i g .

41,

Heat r a d i a t i o n and f l y i n g embers i g n i t e d a number of r o o f t o p s t h r e a t e n i n g t o s p r e a d t h e f i r e i n t h e a r e a ( F i g .

5 ) .

WEATHER DATA Date

-

-

Time ~ e m p , (OF.) M ~ Y 20

6,30

p.m. (EDT) 74

31

May 20 8.30 porne ( E D T ) 72

33

Wind V e l o c i t y (MPHL

CONSTRUCTION,

-

The wood-frame c o n s t r u c t e d warehouse was 50 f e e t I n l e n g t h ,

25

f e e t i n w i d t h , w i t h a f l a t r o o f , The e x t e r i o r w a l l s were i n s u l a t e d w i t h sawdust,

SPRFAD OF FIRE,

-

The f i r e s p r e a d r a p i d l y i n the b u i l d i n g of

brigin

r e l e a s i n f l y i n k , b r a n d s t h e t i g n i t e d t h e surrounding wood

s h i n g l e d r o o f s ?Fig.

6

REMARKS.

-

Tlie development of f i r e a which completely i n v o l v e s i n g l e b u i l d i n g s , spread t o groups of a d j o i n i n g o r a d j a c e n t

exposed b u i l d i n g s and grow i n t o sweeping c o n f l a g r a t i o n s i n v o l v i n g l a r g e a r e a s , i s g e n e r a l l y due t o wood e x t e r i o r c o n s t r u c t i o n , wood s h i n g l e r o o f s , s t r o n g winds., and h e a t r a d i a t i o n , This f i r e , b u t f o r t h e e f f i c i e n t a c t i o n of t h e f i r e department,could have c r e a t e d a s e r i o u s f i r e t h r e a t i n t h e a r e a ,

Date of F i r e :

-

26 ~ u n e

1956

Location: Ottawa, Onto Time of Alarm: 10.59 p.m. (EDT) Day of Week: Tuesday

No. of Storya: 2

-

Estimated Loss: $40,000

COAL DISPERSAL

-

CHUTE

GENERAL.

-

The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e e a s t end of the c o a l s t o r a g e shed, spread r a p i d l y t h e l e n g t h of t h e b u i l d i n g t o i g n i t e p i l e s of c o a l s t o r e d i n the b i n s a t ground f l o o r l e v e l and damaged a number of empty f r e i g h t c a r s l o c a t e d on t h e r a i l w a y t r a c k s l e a d i n g i n t o t h e sheds on the second f l o o r

landing (Fig. 7 ) . Sparks and burnfng d e b r i s f e l l on the homes and lumber yard i n the immediate a r e a . Cause of t h e f i r e was n o t determined.

1,WATHER DATA Date

-

-

Time ~ e m p . ( ~ ~ . ) ROB.

($1

Wind Velocity

(MPH)

June 26 1 0 p.m. (EDT)

66

~ u n e 26 11 p.m. (EDT)

63

48

~ u n e 26 12 p.m. (ED?)

61

57 62 June 27 1 a.m. (EDT)

59.5

63

05

C O N S T R U C T I O N o

-

The wood-frame c o a l - s t o r a g e shed was 150 f e e t i n l e n g t h , 30 f e e t i n width, and two s t o r y s i n h e i g h t . The f l a t and p i t c h e d r o o f s were sheathed with r o l l e d r o o f i n g and l a r g e wood

j o i s t s were used t o support t h e d i s p e r s a l c h u t e s on t h e second f l o o r (Fig.

8 ) .

SPREAD OF FIRE.

-

The type of c o n s t r u c t i o n p e r m i t t e d the f i r e t o spread r a p i d l y throughout the e n t i r e b u i l d i n g . F l y i n g brands l a n d i n g on wood s h i n g l e r o o f s and lumber s t o r e d i n t h e a r e a caused some concern.

REMARKS.

-

Storage of c o a l i n b i n s does n o t u s u a l l y involve a h a z a r d because the time i t i s i n s t o r a g e i s s h o r t . However wood

b u i l d i n g s of t h i s type where coal d u s t accummulates can c r e a t e a r a p i d spreading f i r e when i g n i t e d .

DBR FIRE STUDY N O *

4/&

Date of F i r e :

6

Novenlber

1956

L o c a t i o n : Ottawa, Ont Time of Alarm:

1.37

a .me (EST) Day of Weelr: Tue sday No. of S t o r y s : 2

--

E s t i m a t e d Loss: $150,000

FURNITURE STORAGE

GENERAL.

-

T h i s f i r e was d i s c o v e r e d by a passer-by when smoke was n o t i c e d coniing from t h e b u i l d i n g , The b u i l d i n g was formerly

occupied a s a t h e a t r e ( F i g .

9 )

b u t was b e i n g used f o r f u r n i t u r e s t o r a g e and c o n t a i n e d a number of wood-constructed l o c k e r s i n t h e basement and upper f l o o r s ( F i g . 11). Due t o th.e e x t e n s i v e damage, t h e c a u s e of t h e f i r e was n o t d e t e r m i n e d , Dense c l o u d s o f smolre i s s u e d from t h e b u i l d i n g and b l a n k e t e d t h e s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a , WEATHER DATA

Date

-

-

T i m e Temp. (OF*) R,H.

(a

Wind V e l o c i t y (MPH)

N O V ,

6

1 a.m. ( E S T )

34

88

NOV.

6

2 a.m. ( E S T )

;t

91

NOV,

6

3 a . m . (EST)

93

CONSTRUCTION,

-

The b r i c k and masonry b u i l d i n g was 1 1 0 f e e t

i n

l e n g t h , 5 0 f e e t i n w i d t h and two s t o r y s i n h e i g h t , w i t h a basement. The f l a t r o o f w a s s h e a t h e d w i t h wood p l a n k and covered. w i t h t a r and g r a v e l .

SPREAD OF FIRE.

-

The f i r e was c o n f i n e d t o t h e b u i l d i n g o f o r i g i n . The c o l l a p s e of t h e roof and n o r t h w a l l p r e v e n t e d e n t r y t o t h o b u i l d i n g ( F i g . 1 0 ) .

REMARKS.

-

T h i s f i r e i s a good example of what c a n o c c u r when t h e occupancy of a b u i l d i n g changes w i t h o u t p r o p e r a l t e r a t i o n s t o t h e b u i l d i n g s t r u c t u r e ( ~ i g , l l ) , T h i s f i r e i s b e l i e v e d t o have o r i g i n a t e d s p o n t a n e o u s l y , a l t h o u g h

i t

w a s n o t p o s s i b l e t o

DBR FIRE STUDY NO.

5/5

-

6

Date o f F i r e : 1 December

1956

Location: Ottawa, Ont. Time o f Alarm: 3.13 p.mm (EST) Day of Week: S a t u r d a y No. o f S t o r g s : 3 E s t i m a t e d Loss: $20,000

APARTMENT DWLLING

GENERAL,

-

Young c h i l d r e n p l a y i n g w i t h matches i n t h e t h i r d f T P o o r p a r t r n e n t of t h e b u i l d i n g i g n i t e d comic books p l a c e d on

t h e h o t - a i r r e g i s t e r . The f i r e advanced up t h e m a l l s t o t h e r o o f b e f o r e b e i n g d e t e c t e d , c a u s i n g c o n s i d e r a b l e damage t o t h e b u i l d i n g and c o n t e n t s , and r e q u i r i n ~ many of t h e occupants t o v a c a t e t h e i r premises (Fig. 121, WEATHER DATA Date

-

-

Time ~ e r n p , ( O F , ) R , H ~

(g)

Wind V e l o c i t y (MPH) DOC. 1 p.m., ( E S T ) 20 2 1

76

D e o . 1 p.m. (EST) D ~ C . 1

5

p,me (EST) 21

CONSTRUCTION,

-

The frame b u i l d i n g w a s c o n s t r u c t e d of mlxed m a t e r i a l s having e x t e r i o r w a l l s of b r i c k t o t h e second f l o o r o The t h i r d f l o o r was c o n s t r u c t e d of wood w i t h m e t a l - c l a d s h e a t h i n g . The r o o f w a s f l a t w i t h r o l l e d r o o f l n g , t a r and g r a v e l over wood

j o i s t and wood s h e a t h i n g . I n t e r i o r f i n i s h was mainly l a t h and p l a s t e r papered.

SPREAD OF FIRE.

-

F i r e damage w a s mainly c o n f i n e d t o t h e t h i r d f l o o r where l a c k of f i r e s t o p s i n t h e w a l l s p e r m i t t e d t h e f i r e t o s p r e a d i n a v e r t i c a l d i r e c t i o n ( ~ i g , . 1 3 ) t o t h e open unused a t t i c space under t h e r o o f ( F i g ,

14)-

REMARKS,

-

C a r e l e s s n e s s i n one fomn o r a n o t h e r i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e m a j o r i t y of a l l f i r e s , F i r e p r e v e n t i o n , i f i t i s t o

e l i m i n a t e f i r e s caused by c a r e l e s s n e s s must i n c l u d e t h e e d u c a t i o n of c h i l d r e n i n t h e danger of l i g h t e d matches,

Date of F i r e : 1 December

1956

Location : Ottawa, Ont. Time of Alarm: 5.30 p,m. (EST) Day of Week: Saturday N o , of S t o r y s : 2 Estimated Loss: $10,000

RESIDENTIAL TENEMENT ROW

--

GENERAL. were vaca F i r e was

-

Five of the d w e l l i n g s i n t h i s six-door tenement row n t t o p r o v i d e f o r r e n o v a t i o n o f t h e b u i l d i n g ( F i g .

15).

discovered burning i n one of the vacant r e s i d e n c e s b u t i t s cause could n o t be determlned. I t was assumed t h a t c h i l d r e n p l a y i n g i n t h e b u i l d i n g had been r e s p o n s i b l e

.

WEATHER DATA

Time

-

Temp, (OF.) R.H.(%) Wind V e l o c i t y

-

(NPH)

Dec. 1

5

porno (EST) 21

84

8b.

N,

3

Dec. 1

6

porn. (EST) 2 1

Nw4

7

Dec. 1

7

porn. (EST) 2 1 80 V

7

CONSTRUCTION.

-

The wood-frame b u i l d i n g was approximately 60 f e e t i n l e n g t h , 40 f e e t i n width, and two s t o r y s i n h e i g h t . The

e x t e r i o r w a l l s were of mixed c o n s t r u c t i o n c o n s i s t i n g of mood p l a n k sheathed w i t h b r i c k s i d i n g and cement, The r o o f was f l a t , covered w i t h r o l l e d r o o f i n g , t a r and m a v e l . I n t e r i o r f i n i s h on t h e w a l l s , c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s was l a t h and p l a s t e r papered, combustible board and v - j o i n t wood sheathing.

SPREAD

OF

FIRE.

-

The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d i n the v a c a n t d w e l l i n g and spread t o the w a l l s , c e i l i n g s and a t t i c space under the roof b e f o r e b e i n g brought under- control: -

REMARKS.

-

Buildings, i n which good housekeeping ha s been n e g l e c t e d and an accumulation of waste m a t e r i a l i s p r e s e n t , a r e a f i r e

DBR FIRE STUDY NO.

7/56

Date of F i r e :

4

December

1956

Time of Alarm: 10.37 a.m. (EST)

NO. of S t o r g s : 2

Location: Ottawa, Ont. Day o f Week: Thursday Estimated Loss: $10,000

APARTMENT BUILDING

GENERAL.

-

T h i s f i r e o c c u r r e d i n a s i x - u n i t apartment block while i t was under c o n s t r u c t i o n ( F i g .

1 7 )

.

The i n t e r i o r of t h e b u i l d i n g was b e i n g p r e p a r e d f o r p l a s t e r i n g when a n o i l h e a t e r on a s c a f f o l d a t t h e second-floor l e v e l i g n i t e d a t a r p a u l i n . The f i r e s p r e a d r a p i d l y i n t h e u n f i n i s h e d wood c o n s t r u c t i o n and e n t e r e d t h e unused a t t i c space under t h e r o o f ( F i g .

1 8 ) .

WEATHER DATA

Date

-

-

T irne Temp. (OF.) R.H.(%) Wind V e l o c i t y (MPH) Dec.

4

1 0 a.m. (EST)

14

52

Dec.

4

11 amme (EST)

13

51

~ e c .

4

12 a.m. (EST)

13

50

CONSTRUCTIONo

-

The wood-frame brick-veneer b u i l d i n g was 100 f e e t i n l e n g t h , 4 0 f e e t i n w i d t h and two s t o r y s i n h e i g h t . The r o o f was f l a t , c o v e r e d w i t h t a r and grave1,and the i n t e r i o r w a l l s , c e i l i n g s and p a r t i t i o n s were t o be p l a s t e r e d .

SPREAD OF FIRE.

-

The f i r e o r i g i n a t e d on t h e second f l o o r and s p r e a d q u i c k l y t o t h e w a l l s , c e i l i n g s m d p a r t i t i o n s , and t h e unused a t t i c space under t h e r o o f .

REMARKS.

-

This i n s t a n c e , and many o t h e r s , of f i r e s o c c u r r i n g

i n

i n c o m p l e t e d b u i l d i n g s emphasizes t h e need f o r f i r e p r e v e n t i o n

DBR FIRE STUDY NO. 8/56

Date of F i r e : 30 December

1956

-

Location: V a l l e y f i e l d , Que.

Time of Alarm: 5.20 a.m. (EST) Day of Week: Sunday

N O , of S t o r g s :

3

Estimated Loss: ~100,000,000

COh'T4!3RCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL

GENERAL.

-

A t 5.20 a.m. on Sunday, 30 December

1956,

a d i s a s t r o u s f i r e s t a r t e d i n t h e C i t y of V a l l e y f i e l d , Quebec, which destroyed a number of b u i l d i n g s i n t h e commercial d i s t r i c t and caused a

l o s s e s t i m a t e d a t one m i l l i o n d o l l a r s i n p r o p e r t y and equipment. The f i r e was discovered burning a t t h e r e a r of a t h r e e - s t o r y b u i l d i n g on t h e northrrest corner of Cousineau S t r e e t and Grand I l e Avenue ( F i g ,

19).

On a r r i v a l of the f i r e department i t was r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e f i r e had made r a p i d progress i n t h e b u i l d i n g and immediate r e s c u e o p e r a t i o n s were necessary from t h e apartments on t h e second and t h i r d f l o o r s , As t h e f i r e progressed, b u i l d i n g s t o the n o r t h on Cousineau S t r e e t f o r a d i s t a n c e of 150 f e e t were i g n i t e d and destroyed by r a d i a t e d h e a t and f l y i n g brands ( F i g , 20).

A t t h e same time, t h e f i r e was advancing e a s t on Grand I l e Avenue t o involve two- and t h r e e - s t o r y b u i l d i n g s , t h e upper f l o o r s of which were apartments

The f i r e became more i n t e n s e a s many of the b u i l d i n g s

i n

t h e block on tho n o r t h s i d e of t h e s t r e e t became involved i n f i r e . Strong minds fanned t h e f i r e and f l y i n g brands i g n l t s d the frame

b u i l d i n g s on t h e south s i d e of the s t r e e t o p p o s i t e t h e f i r e (Fig. 2 1 ) . The f i r e then spread r a p i d l y i n a n e a s t e r n and western d i r e c t i o n t o d e s t r o y a l l t h e b u i l d i n g s i n t h e block f r o n t i n g on Grand I l e Avenue

(Fig. 21) and was stopped a t the laneway on Havre Blvd. ( F i g , 2 2 ) .

The f i r e was checked on the south s i d e of the s t r e e t a t ~ t r e e t i n t e r s e c t i o n s ( ~ i g , 2 3 ) . A masonry w a l l s e p a r a t e d by a

laneway prevented f u r t h e r spread of t h e f i r e i n a ~ ~ o s t e r l y d i r e c t i o n on the n o r t h s i d e ( F i g , 2 4 ) . I t was consldered under c o n t r o l a t 12 noon 30 December, a f t e r d e s t r o y i n g or damaging e i g h t e e n b u s i n e s s and r e s i d e n t i a l b u i l d i n g s

'~JEATHER DATA.

_---

-

This f i r e occurred i n a c o r n u n i t y s i t u a t e d i n t h e a r e s south of t h 3 S t . Laurence Rivor on the ban:: of Lake S t , Francois, A t Yr1fLs season of t h e yoar, ice and l o w temperatures a r e g e n e r a l l y p r e v a l e n t (Fig, 25). I n adclition t o t h e cold

weather s t r o n g ninds p r e v a i l e d a t tho time of the P i r e , \leather o b s e r v a t i o n s f o r tZle V a l l e y f i e l d a r e a f o r 2 9 _{and 30 Decumnbor a r e} given i n t h e follcming t a b l e :

NTAT!BR DATA

Date

-

-

Time ~emp.(OF.)

R.H.(%)

Wind V e l o c i t

~ e c

.

30

1.30 a .ma (EST) 80 V~NW.

16

26 Dec. 30 3.30 a.m. (EST)

75

W. 2 2

~ e c . 30 5.30 a.m.(ZST) VJ. 30 Dec. 30 7.30 a.m. (EST) 78

87

WSW. 2 4

-8

WSW, 28

2r:

Dec. 30 9.30 a . r n . ( ~ ~ T )

7 1

CONSTRUCTION.

-

The b u i l d i n g s destroyed were mainly of wood-frame c o n s t r u c t i o n w i t h t i n s h e a t h i n g on t h e e x t e r i o r w a l l s . The r o o f s were f l a t , covered w i t h t a r a n d - g r a v e l .

SPREAD OF FIRE.

-

The f i r e spread from t h e b u i l d i n g of o r i g i n t o t h e n o r t h , e a s t , west and s o u t h i n t h e a r e a t o d e s t r o y o r damage e i g h t e e n b u i l d i n g s . The cause of t h e f i r e w a s n o t determined.

REMARKS.

-

This f i r e emphasizes t h e f a c t t h a t s t r u c t ~ w a l c o n d i t i o n s must be c o n t r o l l e d by adequate b u i l d i n g laws. It i s obvious t h a t

s t a n d a r d f i r e w a l l s , p a r a p e t s and proper p r o t e c t i o n of exposed b u i l d i n g s would have aided m a t e r i a l l y i n p r e v e n t i n g the spread and b r i n g i n g t h i s f i r e under c o n t r o l . C o n f l a g r a t i o n s such a s t h i s a r e

a

r e s u l t of u n f a v o w a b l e s t r u c t u r a l c o n d i t i o n s and i n many c a s e s of inadequate f i r e - f i g h t i n g f a c i l i t i e s to cope w i t h s e v e r e f i r e c o n d i t i o n s ( F i g . 261..

F i g , V i e r af

~ix-door

POW^

fipe ~ ~ i g i n a t e d 8x1 the *Prd f l o o r ,

Fig. 2,

Fig.

3,

V3ew ~ h m f ng how f i ~ e

spread t & m o w F W

on

~

%hhd f l o o ~ e

DBR Report

Hoe

4 0

Fig.

5.

Vier of wood *an@

eonst~uetion

in

$b

Fige

7,

Bemias s f aoe% d i a p e ~ s a l ehate

a i t e ~

.f?lre destroyed

*am-

e s v e ~ s d seatlane

Ffg.

8 @

V i e w shm$ng sn*anee to a s a l

ahutes,

w h e m a o a l emi ins

bwnlng

DBR

Repoet

b e

Fig,

q e

Fmnt vier

sf

asnve~ted

e h e a t ~ e

used for

nitme

atorage, F%ge

11,

V i e r

sf

i n t e ~ i a r

of

lding showing

n i t u r e

e t o ~ a g e

in

rooden loekefa,

Fige 12,

Vier

sf

a p a ~ % m a % t d w e P l 2 n ~ ~ Fire

involved

P i g * V i e w of

a$ltic

spaae mder P O O ~ w h e ~ e

f i m

s p ~ e a d * DBR Report No.

a0

~ f g *

1 6 ~

Acomufatio9sl

of

rabbiah

create@

a

fire b z e r d ,

DBR Report

R o e ...,. . . , . . . .. , . . * 7 7 . . . ..- .- . , . .--. .. -. . .,.. .. . . . . . . . . -.-. - . . . . .-

Ffgg

1 8 e Wear

view

02 BuBbdhgo Flm involved

%he at$ie

spacee

Pig,

lqe

M e m b s ~ af

Fire

Seo$ion F i g e 28,

Vier

shoving how

lire

and

Fire

C M s f

of

spread

in

a nsr$herlg

Va

l P e g l 5 e l d inageat

tEreatPonr

looakion

.where

f i ~ e

or

igim ted*

F i g , 21, Wood

%$.em ~onetruetiosa Fig.

22, hneway p ~ o v i d e d

ftre-

opposite fire

re=

also

break

in

a

reabsrly

B i g .

25,

Pipe Qhief and mmber of Fige

26@

Unsepasated wood-iram

PPfe

Seation

inspect frame oarwa$ruo@ion permStte&

oonstruo

tion.

R o ~ e

m p $ d

$ire

spread*

ev$d@na@ 0.f

@lime%@

APPENDIX

A

ANALYSIS OF FIRES INVESTIGATED BY THE FIRE SECTION

Fig. A - 1 Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n of F i r e s by Ivlonth

Fig. A-2 Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n of F i r e s by Day of Week Fig.

A-3

Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n of F i r e s by Hour of Day

J A N F M A M J J A S 0 N DEC

F I G U R E

A - l

F I R E S B Y M O N T H

D B R R E P O R T 140

"

S U N M T W T F S A T

FIGURE A - 2

F I R E S

B Y

D A Y O F

WEEK

-

-

I

-

I

-

0 I I I I I I I I I I I I 2 2 4 6 8 10 12 2 4 6 8 10 12 M I D N I G H T NOON M I D N I G H T

FIGURE A - 3

F I R E S

B Y

HOUR

OF

D A Y

0 0 q REPORT 140

NATIONAL RESEARCH C O U N C I L OF CANADA DIVISION OF BUILDING RESEARCH

ERRATUM

"FIRE INVESTIGATIONS BY

THE

FIRE SECTION,

1956~

G.W. S h o r t e r and C.Gs Burnett (DBR I n t e r n a l Report No. 1 4 0 ) DBR F i r e Study Non

8/56,

page

8,

--

e s t i m a t e d l o s s of f i r e should be $1,000,000

-

n o t $100,000,000 a s s t a t e d ,