Firefighting Gallery

LCC-LFB fatal warehouse fire, Langley Street WC2

Three firemen died fighting this blaze in a Covent Garden warehouse in Langley Street. The first crews to arrive, from Clerkenwell fire station, found the warehouse well alight. The building was heavily smoke-logged. As the crews entered the building the roof collapsed with fatal consequences. Station Officer Hawkins and fireman Batt-Rawden were both killed by the fall of debris. Fireman Gadd died later as a result of his injuries. Shown here are crews continuing to extinguish the fire within the shell of the collapsed warehouse

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

IRA bombing of the Houses of Parliament, Westminster

The fire started after the IRA planted an explosive device in Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament, 17 June 1974. The 20 lb explosive device caused extensive damage and ignited a gas main that caused additional fire damage to the historic building. Although there were no fatalities, a number of people received minor injuries caused by the blast. The picture shows the building in the later stages of the fire, with smoke coming from the annexe roof, and water hoses stretched across the road

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library