(Submitted photo/Prince Albert Historical Society)

By Derek Craddock

ST. PATRICK'S

Remembering the tragic St. Patrick’s Orphanage fire, 75 years later

Feb 1, 2022 | 9:00 AM

Feb. 1, 1947, is a day that will remain as one of the darkest in Prince Albert’s history.

Tuesday marks the 75^th anniversary of a fire that devastated the St. Patrick’s Orphanage in the city.

One nun and six children lost their lives in the blaze.

Local newspaper coverage detailed the horrifying scene, the response from the fire department and how many nearby did their best to help those from the orphanage who fled out into the cold.

(Submitted/Prince Albert Historical Society)

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News of the tragedy spread, even hitting national and international newswires.

The New York Times posted a short segment, revealing the names of the seven deceased, according to orphanage officials.

The article quotes that the fire “drove more than 100 children in night clothes out into 45-below-zero weather.”

Sister Albert Marie, Loretta Godin (eight), Margaret Rose Desormeaux (seven), Jeannete Paracy (eight), Adline Wojichosky (seven), Madeline Sahyes (11), and Frances Chernich (seven) died in the fire.

Another nun was hospitalized with serious burns.

It’s believed the fire started from the basement, potentially from an overheated furnace and moved through the open stairways.

The orphanage was eventually rebuilt but closed in 1973.

The location, 701 13th St. W., is now the site of the Green Hill Lodge and Suites Assisted Living Facility.

St. Mark’s Catholic Parish in Prince Albert marked the anniversary with a brief prayer during its regular Tuesday mass.

– Special thanks to the Prince Albert Historical Society for providing material for this story.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @pa_craddock