Discussions

In 1917 the Olympia Café claimed, “You will always feel welcome in this haven of rest surrounded with cleanliness and a touch of refinement.”  
 
In 1921, the fifth decade of Brandon’s history had begun, and during the third week of April the local Police Department had issued a Sunday Business Restaurant Licence to the Olympia Café.  
 
This Certificate had been requested by the Olympia Candy Company, but was issued in error, none the less: the proprietor had refused to return it. After Police Chief Hardy had informed city council of this situation other such establishments also applied for similar Certificates.  
 
It was the city Solicitor’s legal opinion that council were empowered to revoke any such permits, but he advised hesitation in such acts, and the Injunction was heeded.  
 
The Olympia Café was located at Tenth and Rosser Avenue and was one of the most popular dining spots in the city, but in 1953 an inferno engulfed the dinning establishment, and in addition two business offices, and an apartment dwelling.  
 
The Café had been built in the former 1883 landmark, the Bank of North America. All the Fire Fighters on night shift were called to Duty with every available Police Officer deployed to control the many hundreds of spectators that had gathered to observe the fire.  
 
Fireman Fredrick Brown, (57) lost his life while attempting to rescue a tenant from the apartment.  
 
The Assurance Agents Association called for an inquiry into the Fire Departments equipment and competence. This application was approved after the Aldermanic group had read the report from the Fire Commissioners Office on the Olympia Café fire.  
 
The report stated that the ‘Smoke Masks’ used during the Olympia ordeal were “apparently not the proper type for the conditions found in this fire, and may have contributed to Firefighter Fred Brown’s death.”  
 
The Breathing Mask’s canister would offer no protection against Carbon Monoxide poisoning, and a Post Mortem Autopsy revealed an eighty percent gas content in the deceased victims blood.  
 
Firefighter Brown left behind a wife and 6 grown children.  
 
Source: Brandon, a City. G. F. Barker.