Home > Mary Evans Prints Online > London Fire Brigade
London Fire Brigade pump damaged by fire
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Mary Evans Picture Library
London Fire Brigade pump damaged by fire
A London Fire Brigade pump damaged by a dramatic fire which took place on the night of 15 August 1920 on the Thames at Woolwich, SE London. The barge Dorcas, laden with several thousand gallons of petrol, caught fire, burned though her mooring ropes and, drifting in the tide, blazed furiously. The Dorcas collided with and set fire to two tugs, Woolwich Pier and nine other barges, a ferryboat and several buildings before grounding on the shore. By then ten London Fire Brigade pumps were waiting, but as they got to work the Dorcas blew up with flames 300 feet high. Although there were no serious injuries, firefighters had to abandon three pumps, which were all burnt out. Here are the remains of one
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 7644097
© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library
Appliance Appliances Barge Barges Burnt Damage Damaged Dorcas Dramatic Petrol Pier Pump Pumps Tugs Vehicles Woolwich Firefighting
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, the remnants of a London Fire Brigade pump stand as a poignant reminder of a dramatic fire that took place on the night of 15 August 1920, along the Thames at Woolwich in SE London. The source of the inferno was the barge Dorcas, which was laden with several thousand gallons of petrol. As the barge burned through its mooring ropes, it drifted in the tide and collided with two tugs, Woolwich Pier and nine other barges, a ferryboat, and several buildings. By the time ten London Fire Brigade pumps arrived on the scene, the Dorcas had grounded on the shore and the flames reached an astonishing height of 300 feet. Although there were no serious injuries reported, the intense heat caused three pumps to be abandoned and left them all burnt out. The photograph captures the aftermath of this chaotic scene, with the damaged pump serving as a testament to the fierce determination and bravery of the London Fire Brigade in the face of such a formidable blaze. This image offers a glimpse into the past, transporting us back to the 1920s and the era of the Thames' bustling waterfront. The photograph's historical significance lies not only in its depiction of the damage caused by the fire but also in the larger narrative it tells about the role of the London Fire Brigade in protecting the city from the threats of fire and the challenges its members faced in doing so. This photograph is part of the extensive collection of Mary Evans Picture Library and is an essential addition to any collection focusing on London's history, firefighting, or the 1920s.
MADE IN THE USA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.