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Date: |
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Description: | C1886.
The most likely location for this is the Central Fire Station in Park Street which opened in 1883 and remained until 1972. It transferred here from the old Corn Exchange in Upper Briggate. It is also very likely that the Police Fire Brigade were posing with their recent acquisition, a superior fire escape which they purchased in 1886 after witnessing a demonstration of it in Germany. It comprises of a series of ladders mounted on a framework which continue to support the ladders when they are in use. It can be used as a water tower enabling water to be poured on to the blaze from a height of 65 feet(approx 20 metres). It also has four wheels and is horse drawn, transporting the firefighters to their destination and doing away with the necessity of pushing a cumbersome vehicle through the streets. By 1885 the Police Fire Brigade was made up of thirty men, including 1 Superintendent, 3 Sergeants and 26 Constables with another 12 in reserve. it was impossible for the Brigade to hire the necessary horses to pull the fire engines etc; so the first three horses were purchased in 1872. The first steam fire engine was acquired in 1875, drawn by two horses, and made by Shand Mason & Company of London. 1902 saw the construction of a new wing housing stables for the horses at the Central Fire Station. Gradually, over the years, steam fire engines were superceded by motor fire engines until in June 1923 the final two horses were retired and sold and the stables were converted to garages. | License: | http://www.leodis.net/article.aspx?id=12 | Rights holder: | Leeds Central Library | Subjects: | Police Fire Brigade Central Fire Station Park Street | Source: | Leodis - A photographic archive of Leeds | Identifier: | http://www.leodis.net/display.aspx?id=20... | Go to resource |
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