Cobalt in Timiskaming District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
1977 Fire
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L'incendie de 1977
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 2, 2022
1. 1977 Fire / L'incendie de 1977 Marker (top panel)
On Victoria Day Monday, 1977 a fire was accidentally started in the Rowden Hardware Building which stood on this spot. The high winds and hot weather carried the fire down the hill into the tightly-packed houses of Frenchtown. Nine fire departments plus countless volunteers fought the fire. Cobalt lost a quarter of its homes and was declared a national disaster zone.
By the time the 1977 fire reached Ferland Avenue, water pressure for the houses had fallen dangerously low. Firemen trying to save St. Therese Church were amazed that the fire moved around the parish and convent, while destroying almost all the other buildings nearby. Some called this a miracle. Others said the real miracle was that the Miner's Tavern didn't burn. Water bombers eventually stopped the fire at the edge of Town.
Le lundi Fête de la Reine 1977, un incendie se déclare accidentellement dans l'édifice de la quincaillerie Rowden située ici-même. Les vents violents de cette journée excessivement chaude pousseront les flammes en haut de la côte en direction des maisons serrées les unes contre les autres du Frenchtown. Neuf services d'incendie et un grand nombre de volontaires ont combattu le brasier. La ville de Cobalt perdait le quart de ses maisons et était déclarée zone sinistrée nationale.
Par le temps que l'incendie de 1977 atteignait l'avenue Ferland, la pression de l'eau avait baissé dangereusement. Les pompiers qui s'affairaient à sauver l'église Ste-Thérèse des flammes ont été étonnés de voir le feu épargner l'église et le couvent alors qu'il consumait la quasi-totalité des maisons environnantes. Certains y ont vu un miracle. D'autres disaient que le vrai miracle c'était plutôt la Miner's Tavern sortie intacte de la conflagration. Les bombardiers d'eau finiront par maîtriser l'incendie en bordure de la ville.
Erected by Cobalt
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical date for this entry is May 23, 1977.
Location. 47° 23.959′ N, 79° 40.725′ W. Marker is in Cobalt, Ontario, in Timiskaming District. It is at the intersection of Lang Street and Ferland Avenue, on the left when traveling east on Lang Street. The marker is beside the sidewalk at the northwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Cobalt ON P0J 1C0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northeastern Ontario and specifically in Northern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Silver Miller Mines / Les mines Silver Miller (within shouting distance of
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 2, 2022
2. 1977 Fire / L'incendie de 1977 Marker (bottom panel)
Also see . . .
1. Cobalt Fire of 1977 Intrigues Visitors Forty Years Later (Cobalt Historical Society pdf).
Excerpt: The cause of the fire was thought to be from cigarettes being smoked behind Rowden’s Hardware located at the top of the first rise on Lang Street up from the Cobalt Square. As it was the May long weekend, not everyone was in Town, some having gone to open summer camps or to fish. The weather was hot and windy. Quickly the wind began to toss the fire about across the Street and down the hill towards the north end of Town.(Submitted on July 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)It wasn’t long before firemen from North Cobalt, Haileybury and New Liskeard arrived with their equipment, but to little avail. The real problem was insufficient water pressure for the fire hoses. The fire was prevented from advancing to the other end of the Town by the appearance of water-carrying planes from The Ontario Department of Northern Affairs.
2. Heart of Cobalt lies in ruins after fire (Toronto Public Library).
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 2, 2022
3. 1977 Fire / L'incendie de 1977 Marker
(Presents a galley of photos from during and after the fire.) Excerpt: Original Toronto Star caption: Heart of Cobalt lies in ruins after fire yesterday destroyed up to 150 buildings; leaving about 400 people homeless. Authorities say the blaze was started by children playing with matches. Firemen were helpless as gusty winds turned the Northern Ontario town into an inferno. About two dozen people were hurt. Catholic Church of St. Theresa (upper left) was spared in what residents called a miracle.(Submitted on July 7, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 2, 2022
4. 1977 Fire / L'incendie de 1977 Marker
Looking north from Lang Street. Ferland Avenue is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 6, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
