Fulham Fire Station Celebrates Brigade's 150th Anniversary


With free fun filled open day for local families on Saturday

Fulham Fire Station opens its doors on Saturday April 23, from 10.30am to 4.30pm for a free fun filled day for the community to celebrate London Fire Brigade's 150th anniversary.

The open day will feature a wide range of events and activities for the entire family, to entertain and share the history of firefighting in Fulham.

Fulham firefighters will show off their skills with staged demonstrations and give life saving fire safety advice. Visitors will see a ladder drill display and road traffic collision rescue demonstration, along with an abseiling from the training tower.

The Metropolitan Police will also be participating at the event, raising awareness on cycling safety and offering advice on bicycle security marking.

The Duck Pond Market will bring ethically sourced food and home made craft stalls. There will also be a Petting Corner, with a variety of small friendly animals for children and adults to interact with.

Local businesses will also be on show and an exhibition of the artworks submitted by local children.

With the help of Playmobil, who are are helping to organise 65 special open days across London to celebrate the Brigade’s 150th anniversary, this will  also be a perfect day out for anyone who’s ever fancied playing firefighter for a day. Children big and small can meet real firefighters and life-sized Playmobil ones, and enjoy toys and activities galore.

Limited-edition London Fire Brigade versions of popular Playmobil Fire Brigade sets have also been created for little ones to learn through play at home. 10% of proceeds will be donated to the Brigade’s charities of choice, with toys available from April to purchase at the open days and from Playmobil customer services.

Fulham Fire Station

The foundations for Fulham Fire Station were laid in 1895, and the construction completed in 1896 under chief architect Robert Pearson.

The building comprises of red and stock bricks and incorporates a gabled façade, corner turrets and tall corbelled chimneys. There are two symmetrical, segmental arched appliance bay openings. Above them, the original brass lettering is still visible, with the words London County Council and the date, 1896.

Positioned centrally and above the appliance bay, hangs a large red glass Fire lamp which used to be lit at night by means of gas.

The octagonal shaped watchtower that rises from the roof provided far reaching views of London, to the east, south and the west. Nowadays the tower still keeps a watchful eye on the city, overlooking the expanding suburbia and the Royal Parks, including Richmond Park and Kew gardens.

The station was adapted for motor use in 1913.

When Fulham Fire Station first opened it housed and accommodated twelve married firefighters, six single firefighters, one officer and one coachman. Four horses were stabled and there was also space for a steam fire engine, a manual engine, a hose tender and a horse cart.

 

April 20, 2016