#penetang

“Five Lives Lost In Penetang Hospital Fire,” Owen Sound Sun Times. November 2, 1931. Page 1. ---- FIRE DESTROYS ONE OF COTTAGES OF ONTARIO HOSPITAL AT PENETANG AT EARLY HOUR MONDAY MORNING ---  Resistance of 42 Patients Housed in Cottage Greatly Handicapped Rescuers — Patients Were of Chronic Type --- TO BE TAKEN TO ORILLIA ---- Plans Were Being Made to Have Cottage Completely Overhauled— Minister of Health Issues Statement ---- (Canadian Press Despatch) PENETANG, Ont. Nov. 2 — Five patients of the Ontario Hospital are now dead as the result of the fire which destroyed cottage “A” housing patients of a chronic mental type here this morning.

 The dead are: W. C. Simmons of Bracebridge, Ont.; John Downey of Toronto; Xavier Lafaive of Lesado Corners, Ont.; Allen McKinnon and John Robertson of Oshawa, Ont. Robertson died in hospital some time after being taken from the burning building. 

Four patients are in hospital in a serious condition, 

The work of rescuers was hampered by the patients many of whom in a serious mental condition resisted all efforts to save them. 

An inquest was opened this morning and adjourned for two weeks.  Announcement of the fire was made this morning at the Ontario Parliament building by Hon. J. M. Robb, Minister of Health. 

Mr Robb's statement follows: 

“A fire broke out this morning at the Ontario Hospital, Penetanguishene, In what Is known as collage “A" a two-storey building housing forty-two patients of a chronic type. Four lives were reported lost.

“Unfortunately a number of patients resisted removal this greatly hampering the work of rescuers. 

“The buildings at the Hospital consist of a main building originally a reformatory for boys and two cottages known as "A" and "B Cottage “B" was overhauled same years ago and plans had been completed to overhaul cottage “A" almost Immediately and to add substantially to the building. 

“Little Is known as to the origin of the fire except that it started In the ceiling. It was discovered by members of the night staff on duty and immediate steps were taken to cope with the situation. The institution fire brigade who received prompt assistance from the town fire brigade prevented spreading of the flames to the rest of the buildings. The water pressure was good and supply plentiful. 

“Patients from the destroyed part will be accommodated in a new cottage just completed by the Ontario Hospital Orillia. A supply of clothing has already been dispatched by motor from the Parliament Buildings for the use of the patients who are being taken care of for the day in another building. 

“The Superintendent is Dr. Geo C. Kidd. 

“The injured patients were Sidney Hamlin, Sioux Lookout, Ont.; William Bowler, Mardale, Ont.; Hector Millsop, Creemore, Ont, and John Cox of Hamilon, Ont.

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"STRIKE OF JOBLESS' ENDED AS MORE RELIEF PROMISED," Toronto Star. September 16, 1933. Page 17. ---- Old Scale to Continue Two Weeks, Joint Meeting Agrees ---- LASTED FOUR DAYS ---- Special to The Star Penetang. Sept. 6. - A four-day strike of the unemployed in Penetang, ended yesterday afternoon fol- lowing a meeting of the disgruntled men with the relief committee.

Penetang unemployed have been utilized in caring for a municipal vegetable garden levelling off ground for a children's playground and in doing other minor jobs in exchange for relief. On Tuesday morning, following an unsuccessful appeal to the council for a more generous relief allowance, they refused to turn up to work. Relief vouchers were at first refused the strikers, but were later handed out when the men agreed to hold a meeting to talk things over.

After conferring with members of the relief committee for an hour, the men, at the conclusion of a short discussion, agreed by a vote of 151 to 1 to return to work under the old relief standard for two more weeks, at the end of which time an improvement is promised. Meanwhile, the relief committee pledges itself to give special consideration to the more needy cases.