The Toronto circus riot occurred on 13 July 1855, a few blocks east of the St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, in the British Province of Canada. It began as a brothel fight between American circus clowns traveling with the S. B. Howes' Star Troupe Menagerie & Circus and local firefighters associated with the Hook & Ladder company, and resulted in the firefighters destroying the circus. The Toronto Police Service was present at the riot, but, showing favoritism to members of the Orange Order, refused to identify any of the rioters. The apparent corruption and incompetence of the police service led to public scandal and widespread police reform within the city.
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