On December 24, 1947, fire once again tore through the west side of Pitt Street, this time between First and Second streets. Twelve businesses were destroyed and the damage was estimated at one million dollars.
Firefighters did their best to contain the blaze but the weather conditions, extreme cold and high winds, made it very difficult. The “Standard-Freeholder” reported that the firefighters’ uniforms were almost completely frozen. “At times, firemen looked like robots as they walked from one side of the street to the other. Legs functioned but within half an hour… they just couldn’t move their arms. They were ushered inside to thaw before returning.”
The inferno gutted the entire block between 100 and 136 Pitt., making it the largest fire in Cornwall’s history. The businesses that were destroyed: Gadbois Jewellers, Singer Sewing Centre, Mayfair Ladies Wear, Viau’s Dress Shop, McIntyre and Campbell, Lowe Brothers Paint Shop, People’s Store, Weber and Co. Book Store, Loblaws Food Market, Nyman’s Shoe Store, Vanity Ladies Wear, and Carsley’s Ladies Wear. Some second floor offices and apartments were also destroyed.
©Cornwall Community Museum
The Streets of Cornwall 
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