Historical records show that Bethnal Green had a permanent station on Bethnal Green Road as early as 1871. This replaced a temporary station in Parish vestry premises on Church Row.
On 29 July 1889, a brand-new station opened at number 51 Green Street. It housed a steam fire engine, manual pump, a hose cart, 12 firefighters, four horses and two coachmen.
Due to a significant increase in the amount of fires, in 1906 the Fire Brigade Committee decided that the existing station was not fit for purpose. As a result they made the decision to enlarge the station.
During the Second World War six Auxiliary Fire Service sub stations were attached to Bethnal Green Fire Station. They were located at local schools, including London Fields. In 1941, all fire brigades in the United Kingdom were brought together to form the National Fire Service (NFS). Bethnal Green became part of NFS Fire Force Area 36.
The station closed in 1968. This was due to the planned station building and improvement programme started after the war by the London County Council. When the Greater London Council formed in 1965, they continued this programme.
Construction of the new station, at 11 Roman Road, began in May 1967. In March 1969 it became fully operational. It was designed to house two fire engines, over thirty firefighters and had a fifty five foot training tower. This station is still operational today.