Bricks and stone tell a silent story of bravery at Plumstead Fire Station. This striking Edwardian Baroque building stands as a testament to London’s firefighting history. Opened in June 1907, Plumstead Fire Station replaced smaller houses. One of these houses once served as a post office. The Chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee of the London County Council, Rupert Guinness, inaugurated the station.
Plumstead Fire Station sits at the principal crossroads of Plumstead. It is a key architectural landmark. It’s one of over 50 fire stations built in London between 1895 and 1925. Each station had careful detailing. Styles ranged from Arts and Crafts to Wren-revival Edwardian Baroque.
Notice the red facing bricks. They contrast with ionic classical detailing in Portland stone. The “L.C.C. FIRE BRIGADE STATION PLUMSTEAD” frieze is hard to miss. It features Doulton’s majolica faience. This came from Doulton’s factory in Lambeth.
The station was designed for both horse-drawn and motorized fire engines. It stood at the threshold of this major invention. Look at the two street-facing elevations. They make the most of the corner location. The Plumstead High Street elevation is grand. It features Baroque giant order pilasters. This is unusual for a suburban building. The Lakedale Road side shows careful detailing. It has tiles with period lettering. Its attractive Queen Anne domestic style catches the eye.
A large blue-glass fire station lantern once topped the building. It disappeared in the mid-20th century. Thankfully, its iron fixing straps survived. In 2024, HOLT’s funding enabled the lantern’s restoration. The replacement was built from archival images. It matches the original. It boasts a handcrafted copper frame. Engraved glass and replacement bracketing add the finishing touches. These prominent lanterns served as emergency beacons for fire stations.
The rear of Plumstead Fire Station is more functional. Yet it retains special interest. It remains largely unaltered. Attractive original features are still visible. There are two large appliance bay entrances. These recall the days of horse-drawn fire vehicles. These vehicles could not be reversed into the front bays. Instead, they were driven into the bays via the rear yard.
Inside, the plan form remains. The open space of the appliance bays is still present. The office-like watch room and ground floor spaces survive. The domestic-style accommodation upstairs includes an Edwardian fireplace. Other features of interest include wood casing and doors to the sliding pole. The staircase features metal balusters and a handrail. Many original doors remain.
Plumstead Fire Station is a Grade II listed building. This recognizes its architectural and historical significance. Its two street-facing elevations contribute to its importance. The Plumstead High Street elevation is particularly grand. Its Baroque giant order pilasters stand out. The Lakedale Road elevation also impresses. Its careful detailing and Queen Anne style add to its charm.