British Columbia’s history is riddled with fires.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, on Sept.17, 1868, Barkerville was destroyed by fire, including 116 homes. The fire was caused by a miner trying to kiss one of the girls in a saloon. The ensuing struggle dislodged a stove pipe, setting the canvas ceiling on fire.
Then, On June 13, 1886, fire destroyed most of Vancouver, which had only been incorporated three months earlier. A clearing fire blazed out of control and in one hour only two of the 400 original buildings were left standing.
