In memory of the Blue Bird - Wagon Wheel 1972-2012 - Montréal pays homage to victims of the Blue Bird - Wagon Wheel fire on the 40th anniversary of the tragedy

MONTREAL, Aug. 7, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Helen Fotopulos, member of the Montréal Executive Committee responsible for culture, heritage, design and women's issues, held a press conference at the Montréal History Centre to announce that the city will pay homage to the 37 victims who perished in the Blue Bird - Wagon Wheel fire of September 1, 1972, one of the most tragic fires in the history of 20th-century Montréal.

"This sad day will be forever engraved in the collective memory of Montrealers. Exactly 40 years later, our Administration hopes to gather together the families and friends of the victims of this terrible fire to pay them homage. That is why today we are asking the media to help us spread the word as widely as possible and extend an invitation to all those who lost a loved one, who survived and who were touched by this tragedy in some way, to join us at this posthumous homage," said Helen Fotopulos.

The city, in cooperation with many partners, has organized a day to celebrate the lives of the 37 people who perished in the Blue Bird - Wagon Wheel fire. On August 31, ceremonies begin with the annual morning mass for deceased firefighters at Mary-Queen-of-the-World Cathedral, during which a special tribute will be paid to the victims. A procession will follow, proceeding from the cathedral to square Phillips, where the city will dedicate a historic footprint not far from the site of the Blue Bird - Wagon Wheel.

The City of Montréal also will commemorate the day with the unveiling of its exhibition, In Memory of the Blue Bird - Wagon Wheel 1972-2012, featured from September 1 to 8 in the hall of honour at city hall. This retrospective will be presented jointly with an exhibition featuring 150 years in the history of the city fire department, 150 ans d'histoire au Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal, that provides a unique overview of the development of firefighting in the city, from the creation of the department in 1863 to the present day.

To learn more: ville.montreal.qc.ca/sim

SOURCE: Ville de Montréal

Source:
Cabinet du maire et du comité exécutif

Information:
Patricia Lowe
Affaires publiques
514-872-5467