Monkman on duty during downtown Barrie fire
By Susan Stein

It was gratifying to know, that Rick Monkman, the son of the late Don and Ann Monkman and grandson of the late Lou Monkman of Cookstown, was on duty as the deputy chief of the Barrie Fire Department.

Monkman, who has been with the department for 27 years, helped with the evacuation and controlling the fire.

The fire destroyed part of the old Wellington Hotel and several other businesses at the Five-Points intersection .