London Fire Brigade

LCC-LFB Merryweather self-propelled Fire King pump

First introduced into the UK by Merryweather of Greenwich, SE London, in 1899, by 1907 twenty-one Fire Kings were in operational use around the country, including the London Fire Brigade. A modified Fire King was stationed at Whitefriars fire station in the City of London. The Fire King could travel at a speed of 20-30 mph but was unable to negotiate a significant gradient without stopping to build a sufficient head of steam. Seen here with crew at the London Fire Brigade headquarters, Southwark SE1.

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

LCC-LFB Fire display at Brigade HQ Southwark

The London Fire Brigade encouraged, for very many years, a good public image by opening its doors to the public to special fire brigade displays. On Saturday afternoons, during the summer months, it was a regular feature to see displays at the Southwark Headquarters. As the picture shows it drew large, and frequently a boater-hatted, crowds. A motorised fire engine works two firefighting jets, while a turntable ladder is fully extended to the top of the drill tower. Where there was space to stand and watch the public took every opportunity to do so.

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

GLC-LFB - Dual purpose pump-escape fire engine

The GLC-LFB was created on 1 April 1965. A series of photos was commissioned of each type of fire engine, either within or absorbed into the enlarged London Fire Brigade. The pump-escape from Chiswick fire station (D25) is seen here. This was a former Middlesex fire brigade fire engine, an AEC/Merryweather diesel appliance.

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library