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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

LCC-LFB Tooley Street fire station and its crews

Built in 1879, and located at 165 Tooley Street, this station remained operational until 1928 when the new Dockhead fire station was opened and the engines and crews transferred there. This building still stands in Tooley Street today. A Dennis pump and pump escape are pictured and a child can be seen at a first floor window (the firemen lived at the station along with their families).

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

Fire at 298 Old Brompton Road, London SW5

Fire at 298 Old Brompton Road, London SW5, 25 February 1956. An escape ladder is extended to the second floor, with Sub Officer Kirby of A9 Fulham carrying a 19-month-old child, Dennis Norman McGowan, down in his arms, and Sub Officer Temple following. The child had been left in his cot in the front room before the fire started. At this stage the strings of the ladder were smouldering which, together with the heat and smoke from the shop, made the situation extremely dangerous. The child's mother waits in the foreground to be reunited with her son.

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library