There was indeed a massive fire in Toronto on April 19, 1904. More than 100 buildings burned, destroying most of downtown. While only one life was claimed, the damage was estimated at over CDN $10m and put 5,000 people out of work.
Samantha Bond is the third Downton Abbey (2010) alumnus to appear as a guest star. Thomas Howes as Winston Churchill in Winston's Lost Night (2013), Brendan Coyle as Rankin in A Merry Murdoch Christmas (2015), and Sophie McShera as Ann Ryand in Murdoch Mystery Mansion (2018).
The real name of journalist Madge Merton, whose society column Constable Crabtree swears by, was Elmina Ella Susannah Atkinson (nee Elliott), She married newspaper publisher Joseph E. Atkinson, under whose leadership the Toronto Star became one of the largest and most influential newspapers in Canada.
This episode takes place in April 1904.
Dominique Provost-Chalkley (Elizabeth Atherly) Is the second 1/2 of the #wayhaught "ship", from the TV series Wynona Earp (2016-2021), to appear on Murdoch Mysteries. Katherine Barrell appeared twice previously (season 5 ep 11 & season 8 ep 6), as Ruby Rosevear.