This article has been amended since first posting to clarify that the author of this photo was not a firefighter at the time of its taking.
On Friday, Jan. 28, 1977, a fire swept through Delbrook Secondary, ending its 20 years of existence. Opened in 1957, Delbrook was the second public high school built in North Vancouver (the first was North Vancouver High School, 1910-1979).
A fire started in the workshop on the lower floor shortly after midnight on Jan. 28, causing a total of $2 million in damage.
Teenage photographer and future firefighter Scott MacKenzie was called to the scene by a friend who lived nearby. He captured the fire and the activities of the firefighters from the City and District of North Vancouver as well as West Vancouver.
Visit the MONOVA website for more information about the history of the North Shore and to learn about MONOVA: Museum of North Vancouver now open Thursday to Sunday in The Shipyards.
Currently, MONOVA: Archives of North Vancouver, at 3203 Institute Rd., in Lynn Valley is open by appointment only. Contact: archives@monova.ca
Navigate culture on the North Shore by using the North Shore Culture Compass.
