Monday, December 11, 1916. It is two weeks until Christmas. The First World War rages overseas. And in Peterborough, Ontario at around 10:!5 am, the Quaker Oats Factory explodes. Held To The Fire dissects the shocking event piece-by-piece. From the stories of those involved, to the drama between major players, and a community pulling together, Matthew Flagler weaves the story within the backdrop of the war, the people, and the economic forces operating at the time.