Rare film footage has been unearthed of the darkest day in Winkler's history.

For nearly 96-year-old resident Abe Suderman, it was also the day he nearly lost his life.

Dressed in rubber boots and a jacket that offered minimal protection, Winkler's Abe Suderman was one of the firefighters that answered the call. He says rewatching the footage thanks to the family of videographer Walter Harder, brought back a wave of memories.

"That was one of the biggest fires we ever had," Suderman says. "We did everything possible."

At one point during the battle, Suderman found himself in the narrow alley between two buildings, unaware of the grave danger he was in. "My buddy was yelling at me to come out because the smoke was building up."

Moments after exiting the alley the wall of the building collapsed in a burning heap. "I barely got out," he says.

Nearly 60 years ago, Winkler's business sector was decimated by fire, an event that's been called the worst disaster in the community's history. The 1961 'Main Street Fire' is still remembered by many for its destruction as it gutted five major businesses; Peoples Furniture, Gladstones Dry Goods, Gladstones IGA, Town and Country Restaurant and Penners Meats and Groceries. According to records by the Winkler Heritage Society, the fire broke out in the attic of Peoples Furniture and continued to spread down the block. The suspected cause was faulty wiring.

"It was so sad," he says. "I prayed all the way home, all day and all night long."

The Winkler Fire Department battled the blaze for hours but with only nearby wells to rely on, their efforts and equipment were no match.

"There were times that were very tense," he says. "It was very scary sometimes, and the pressure was there, we only had a certain amount of water in the tanks."

When the water ran out, Suderman says they were forced to watch as neighbours and friends had their businesses burn to the ground.

"It was so sad," he says. "I prayed all the way home, all day and all night long."

Watching, helpless, Suderman says it was frustrating knowing they didn't have the tools and equipment they needed. He notes a 500-gallon tanker could be depleted in just a few minutes. "We didn't have a water system like Winkler has now."

Following the disaster, Suderman says there was a strong push from the town council to invest in a new fire truck and professional firefighting gear for their members. "We said we gotta have something that's more durable and reliable."

"It was a wake-up call," he adds.

Suderman would go on to serve as Fire Chief from 1988 to 1998. His entire career with the fire department would span from 1955 to 2000.

Abe together with his wife Elsie Suderman. Abe served with the Winkler Fire Department for nearly 50 years. Almost six decades later, colour film footage has been unearthed of the Great Winkler Fire that took place on March 8, 1961.

The original logbook chronicling the members who responded to the fire in 1961