Hear that? That’s the echo of sirens, not from today, but from a time when The Old Firestation was the heart of London’s firefighting efforts. The Old Firestation stands as a proud reminder of London’s brave firefighters. It symbolizes civic pride.
Let’s step back to a time when fire stations were more than just buildings. They were symbols of hope. These stations housed live-in fire brigades. Horses pulled the fire engines.
After the Great Fire of London in 1666, the need for organized firefighting became clear. Initially, insurance companies employed firefighters. These firefighters tackled fires in buildings they insured. In 1833, these brigades merged. They formed the London Fire Engine Establishment. This was a private enterprise. Insurance companies funded it.
The Tooley Street Fire of 1861 prompted a change. Insurance companies suggested a public body should handle fires. In 1866, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade formed. It was controlled by the Metropolitan Board of Works.
Later, in 1889, the London County Council took over. The brigade was renamed the London Fire Brigade in 1904. In 1938, the Auxiliary Fire Service formed. This supplemented the local brigade’s work due to the threat of war.
During the war, the Auxiliary Fire Service and local brigades merged. They became the National Fire Service between 1941 and 1948. The London County Council regained control on April 1st, 1948.
In 1965, the Greater London Council formed. The London Fire Brigade expanded. It covered all of Greater London. Over the years, different bodies governed the brigade. These included the Greater London Council, the London Fire and Civil Defence Authority, and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority. Since 2018, the London Fire Commissioner has been in charge.
The earliest fire stations were simple. Few pre-1880 examples remain. In the 1880s, fire stations gained architectural identity. Robert Pearsall, the MFB architect, favored the Gothic style. This style was typical of Victorian municipal buildings.
The Old Firestation, like many of its counterparts, has seen changes. It has adapted to the needs of the city. Today, The Old Firestation may have a new purpose. Yet, its history is etched into its walls. It reminds us of the bravery and dedication of London’s firefighters. The echoes of sirens may be gone. But the spirit of those who served here remains.