By Bryan Ross
Arson’s a risky business, but the Brenna brothers knew that. The demand for fires was fierce in the late 1800s as they continually perfected their craft. Now, with the new century dawning, Chester, Arthur, and Reginald received their greatest commission: burn central Toronto.
As always, agreements were verbal and payments anonymous, maintaining everyone’s secrecy. With plans made, weather checked, and supplies ready, the brothers went to work the evening of April 19, 1904. In all, twenty acres were cleared with nobody killed. Another successful job.
Several years later, downtown was rebuilt, and the Grand Trunk Railroad had its new train station.
Was the name “Brenna” deliberate? I know the word “brenna” to mean “burn” in Icelandic, so I was amused by the name in this context! Cool story 😉
RC, thank you. And yes, that was a purposeful choice.
Reads very real. I’m interested to know if this is Creative Nonfiction.
Hello Angela. I borrowed some facts from an actual event, but the story itself is fictitious.
Ouch. I hope this is not a dose of reality disturbing my fantasyland.
Thought provoking.