At an early hour on Thursday morning (about one o’clock) the slumbering denizens of this almost suburban district were aroused by a cry of “fire.” The alarm speedily circulated through the surrounding neighbourhood and in a short time numbers were hastening in the direction of the scene of the conflagration, which was soon observable from the glare diffused around in consequence of the height the fire had attained. Here it was placed in the rear of the premises, as was the third from the Heights manned by the Artillery. The two last were copiously supplied with water from the stream. We have no wish to particularise the efforts made on the occasion because all strove most efficiently to discharge the duties upon which they had so cheerfully entered. The Captains of the corporation engines Messrs G. T. Parks and Jas. Wood while justly acknowledging that the service of their own men was entitled to the full need of much praise. They expressed themselves as highly gratified with the fearless conduct of the military the excellent working of their engines and the determination, which characterised their great efforts of doing all that the exigencies of the case demanded.

Some idea of the water thrown upon the burning houses may be gathered from the fact of the supply for the engines in front having exhausted the contents of more than one well in the neighbourhood. For three hours the engines almost combated the flames and at four o’clock all apprehensions of further danger from the fire, which had completely gutted the Dog and Gun and the two upper floors of Meadows house was removed. From the first arrival of the engines it was apparent that no effort could save the house occupied by Stone and it was feared that but little success could crown any exertions directed in reference to Meadows house. In the latter instance however they particularly succeeded the ground and first two floors escaping comparatively scathe less though furniture removed from them was damaged beyond repair in its hasty transit to the street. In addition to the whole depot of the 30th and a company of the 67th Superintendent Coram and some of his force were promptly on the spot and naturally assisted in the maintenance of sufficient order. A passage of some 16 feet wide intervened between each of the burning houses and the premises adjoining. But for this circumstance and the fact of their being scarcely a breeze at the time the extent of damage might have been much more considerable.

A temporary fence between the Dog and Gun and the house below was much charred and some of the windows in the upper storey of the house above that of Meadows are said to have been cracked by the intense heat of the conflagration. With these trifling exceptions the engines succeeded in confining the fire to the two houses alluded to as well as preventing it reaching to some out buildings attached to the Dog and Gun. The origin of the fire consists at present a subject of inquiry.

The damage done as follows - Dog and Gun completely gutted and the whole contents destroyed. Meadows house - two floors and contents destroyed and the furniture in the other rooms damaged beyond recovery. The house was insured in the Sun to the full value. (June 1852)