Lauriston Fire Station

On a crisp Edinburgh morning in June 1900, the city celebrated the grand opening of Lauriston Fire Station. The Right Honourable Sir Mitchell Thomson, Lord Provost himself, inaugurated the station. Lauriston Fire Station, a striking red sandstone and granite edifice at 76-78 Lauriston Place, quickly became a vital part of Edinburgh’s safety net. The station, designed by Robert Morham between 1897 and 1901, boasted state-of-the-art facilities. The Engine House, with its four wide doors, allowed fire engines to exit at full gallop within seconds of an alarm. Lauriston Fire Station was more than just an engine house. It housed the firemaster, firemen and their families, stables, workshops, a recreation room, and even a gymnasium. This ensured a swift response to emergencies and fostered a strong sense of community within the brigade. Before Lauriston Place, Edinburgh’s fire service had a long and colorful history. Established in 1703, it was considered the oldest municipal fire brigade in the world. In 1824, James Braidwood became superintendent. He introduced innovative firefighting techniques, like entering burning buildings instead of fighting flames from outside. He also prioritized firefighter safety, insisting they work in pairs and stay low to the ground to avoid smoke inhalation. Braidwood later brought his expertise to London, tragically losing his life in the Tooley Street fire. Edinburgh’s fire service continued to evolve. By 1900, it had transitioned from a part-time force of slaters, carpenters, masons, plumbers, and smiths to a professional organization with dedicated stations across the city. Lauriston Fire Station became the central hub, equipped with modern appliances like the Merryweather turntable ladder and the Hatfield pump. The station’s location, previously the southwest corner of the cattle market, placed it strategically within the city. Its hose-drying tower, though later truncated, stood as a symbol of the brigade’s commitment to readiness. The interior of Lauriston Fire Station was equally impressive. The Engine House featured cast-iron columns, a timber ceiling, and white glazed tiles. Mahogany panelled doors with brass hinges and a fire pole from the Fire Master’s flat added a touch of elegance to the functional space. The stables retained their original timber and cast-iron stalls, with herringbone glazed bricks on the floor. Even after it ceased operations as a fire station in 1988, being replaced by the Tollcross station, Lauriston Fire Station retained its importance. It was transformed into the headquarters and museum for the Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade after a major refurbishment in 1998-99. Today, standing before Lauriston Fire Station, one can almost hear the clatter of horses’ hooves and the clang of the fire bell, echoes of a time when this grand building stood at the heart of Edinburgh’s fight against fire.