An old engraving of a Thames fire-fighting barge or boat, LFE 20, in Victorian times, London, England, UK. In London individual insurance companies established fire-fighting units to tackle fires in buildings that each company insured. They co-operated to form the London Fire (Engine) Establishment (LFEE or LFE) in 1833 under the leadership of James Braidwood. One mode of tackling fires along the River Thames was by fire-boat. The fire insurance companies informed the government it was not commercially viable to fight fires and in 1866 the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) came into being.
An old engraving of a Thames fire-fighting barge or boat, LFE 20, in Victorian times, London, England, UK. In London individual insurance companies established fire-fighting units to tackle fires in buildings that each company insured. As demands grew they began to co-operate and in 1833 the London Fire (Engine) Establishment (LFEE or LFE) was formed under the leadership of James Braidwood. One mode of tackling fires along the River Thames was by fire-boat. In 1861 there was a disastrous fire at a Thameside warehouse in Tooley Street. Despite the efforts of the fire services the blaze continued to burn for two days, causing much damage and the death of James Braidwood. The fire insurance companies who funded the LFE informed the government they were no longer able to continue fighting fires and in 1866 London’s Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) came into being.
Size: 3307px × 2118px
Location: River Thames, London, England, UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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