The Demise of the Waterford Manor

Waterford Manor was not just any house. This was a grand, three-story Queen Anne-style mansion, a historic landmark in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Built in 1905 at 185 Waterford Bridge Road, it stood proudly for over a century, surviving storms, wars, and generations of owners. But on the evening of July 7, 2016, Waterford Manor was swallowed by flames in a fire so intense that firefighters spent nearly 12 hours trying to put it out.

And here’s the kicker: authorities quickly determined the fire was no accident. It was arson. Gasoline was deliberately placed in four key locations throughout the property. It was meant to burn. Someone wanted this historic structure gone.

At the center of it all was 43-year-old David Badrudin, a man who had a long-standing connection to the property—his family had owned it since the early 1990s. In 2017, he was charged with arson, accused of burning down his own building. But after a short trial, he walked free. Why? Because the Crown failed to prove one crucial thing: that he actually owned the property.

David Badrudin

A Historic House with a Storied Past

Waterford Manor wasn’t just an old house—it had history. Designed by famed Newfoundland architect William F. Butler, the Queen Anne-style masterpiece had been home to several important figures in the province’s history.

• In 1917, it was sold to Sir Edgar R. Bowring, a politician and businessman, whose family was instrumental in the creation of Bowring Park.

• During World War I, the manor served as a convalescent home for injured soldiers.

• In the late 1920s, it was owned by Peter Cashin, a key player in Newfoundland’s political landscape, particularly during the debate over joining Canada.

• By 1936, it had passed into the hands of Robert B. Job, another influential businessman and politician.

Over the years, Waterford Manor was recognized as a Registered Heritage Structure and even won a Southcott Award for heritage restoration. Its rich history made its sudden destruction all the more shocking.

Tea Room - Waterford Manor

Waterford Manor

The Fire and the Trial