 Neither faction was capable of governing the town, which led to the newly ordered chemical engine for the recently organized Calgary Fire Department (Calgary Hook, Ladder and Bucket Corps) to be held in the Canadian Pacific Railway's storage yard due to lack of payment.Local government would be restored a few days before the fire in the November 3, 1886 municipal election which saw George Clift King elected mayor.In the early morning of November 7, 1886, flames at the rear wall of the Parish and Son flour and feed store was reported.