Three decades after the fire

It was 30 years last month Martin Dillon stood outside Petrolia’s Victoria Hall, watching it burn.
The 1889-opened home to the town’s theatre, municipal offices, and fire and police services was gutted by fire 22 days after its 100th birthday. Only the exterior walls survived.
“It was just shocking; it was stunning,” said Dillon, with Petrolia’s heritage committee, recalling people around him crying and hugging as the heart of the municipality crumbled inside.
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