Ladders Gallery

LCC-LFB Dennis motorised pump-escape

In 1910 the London Fire Brigade took delivery of the latest motorised fire engine from Dennis, the fire engine manufacturers in Surrey. Seen here is the pump-escape with its solid rubber tyres which had steel studded fabric wraps to combat the risk of skidding on wet tramlines and its own fire pump

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

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LCC-LFB battery-electric pump-escape at Southwark

An early electric wheeled escape ladder vehicle, Cedes battery-driven pump/50ft escape, based at Bow fire station, seen here in the drill yard at Southwark Headquarters. Batteries stowed under the bonnet added 2.5 tons to the total vehicle weight. Although battery power did not last long in the London Fire Brigade, the emerging shape of the early 20th century fire engine is clearly visible

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

GLC-LFB - Turntable Ladder at Plaistow

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. A Metz turntable ladder from Plaistow fire station ( L30) is seen here, mounted on a Dennis-Rolls Royce petrol engine appliance. This appliance was from Essex fire brigade, parts of which were absorbed into the London Fire Brigade in 1965

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library