Firefighters and Clowns Fought One Another During the Toronto Circus Riot of 1855
In the summer of 1855, the S.B. Howes’ Star Troupe Menagerie & Circus were visiting Toronto from the United States. After the circus ended, the clowns decided to enjoy their evening at one of the local brothels. It just so happened that The Hook & Ladder Fire Fighting Company was also at the same brothel that night. There is no record as to why the fighting started in the first place.
But what we do know is that the firefighters and the clowns began to fight one another, and it broke out into a huge fight. The clowns won. But the next day, a huge crowd of friends of the firefighters were ready to start a riot. Even the police were on the firemen’s side, so they just sat by and watched the chaos as the angry mob burned down the circus tent and beat up the circus performers.
