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Firefighters, over the years, have had to be prepared to deliver their fire and rescue services in all kinds of weather conditions. One such fire in our history is the Butler's Wharf fire of 1931 – the 'frozen fire'.
Two brave men lost their lives at a tragic blaze at Union Cold Storage Co. at Smithfield Market – it lead to operational changes that keep firefighters safer today.
It was in the early hours of the morning of 6 June 1969 when the Brigade was called to a fire at the six-storey Leinster Towers Hotel, Leinster Gardens – 50 people were safely evacuated with 25 minutes.
The Moorgate tube crash in 1975 tragically resulted in 43 people being killed and 74 being injured.
On 18 November 1987, the worst fire in the history of the London Underground claimed the lives of 31 people, including a senior ranked firefighter, and seriously injured many more at King's Cross station.
At 1339 on a rainy Saturday in 1989, a Littlehampton to Victoria express train crashed into the rear of a Horsham to Victoria bound train. The crash claimed the lives of five people and left 88 injured.
The need for firefighters to enter a burning building to enable them to extinguish a fire has always been hindered by the smoke generated from the flames – so breathing apparatus is essential.
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From the formation of the Auxiliary Fire Service through the bravery of the Blitz, discover our history during WWII.
