In 2005 a fire on lower Major Street became more serious than it might have been otherwise because of unseparated attic spaces.

Two years later, there was another serious fire on lower Robert Street; it spread in a matter of minutes to five houses, also through their upseparated attics. After this particular fire, there was an outpouring of public concern about the terrible consequences for our neighbours. Money was collected and donated to HVRA — to see either to the welfare of the victims of the Fire, or to promote fire safety.

As almost all the victims of the Fire were being taken care of by their own insurance, HVRA decided to take the money that had been gathered and put it toward the general purpose of  fire prevention in old houses such as those in Harbord Village.

At the Board, the idea of a Fire Brochure took shape and Board Member Colin Furness took charge of the research that produced the information you see here. Gus Sinclair undertook to see through the layout [Thanks to Donna Endicott Layout Services] and printing [by Skylar Printing].
Just before the final printing, a third fire broke out on Lower Major Street - [19-27 Major] and again spread because of no attic fire separations between living quarters.

If you live in Harbord Village, or in any of Toronto's Victorian neighbourhoods... please read this brochure with deep care and attention.

Download Fire Safety is a Serious Matter here.