London Fire Brigade Gallery

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

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

Merryweather Fire King steam pump and crew

Merryweather Fire King steam pump and crew, Southwark HQ. In 1899 Merryweather modified its steamer pumps to also propel the vehicle, and thus London's first non-horse-drawn fire engines arrived. Unfortunately the Fire Kings, as they were called, were slow (12 mph maximum) and cumbersome to steer. Stopping was also a problem as they weighed 5.5 tons

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

LCC-LFB first emergency tender crew, Clerkenwell

It was more a dedicated breathing apparatus fire engine but is deemed to be the forerunner of the emergency tenders. This fire engine also had a petrol engine generator to supply the electric floodlights it also carried. This fire engine was based at Clerkenwell fire station. It soon proved its worth and improved enclosed models followed and the days of the emergency tender were born. The picture shows firemen wearing the Proto one hour self contained oxygen The crew are wearing the 'Proto' breathing apparatus introduced from 1908

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library