"Norma Ellen (Hearn) Dickinson survived the fire of October 4, 1922. She and her parents, George and Effie Hearn, lived in Harley Township on Lot Three, Concession Four. There were neighbours living across the road and also on top of the hill."
They survived the fire of 1922 by gathering with people of the area in an open field. Effie sat in a car with Norma who was 11 months at the time. Neighbours wet a sheet and placed it over Norma so the smoke didn't bother her too much.
George stayed with the house and kept throwing water on 'hot spots'. He then joined the family in the field. He said that a culvert had fallen in as he crossed it.
The pig went to the creek and had to be killed. They also lost a barn, henhouse and granary. Effie had the washing machine full of baby clothes in the granary. The big iron wheel was all that was left. The wind changed so the house was saved. It snowed the next day.
Next day a family came to live with them until a house could be built. They had lost everything.
Eaton's sent up a lot of stuff. George received two rubber boots for the same foot--instead of a pair. At the time everyone laughed, it was quite a joke. But at the time it must have been pretty serious, too.
Later, Norma's sister, Thelma, married another survivor of the fire, Lawrence D. Phillips. He was almost two years old and was the son on of Lawrence and Annie Phillips."