Leith Fire Station - Firecrew and Engines

Category

Library Item

Item no

21236

Title

Leith Fire Station - firecrew and engines

Description

Two fire engines are leaving Leith Fire Station. The engines have ladders on top and are filled with crew who have stopped to have their photograph taken. The firemen are wearing uniforms including helmets. One of the ladders has "Edinburgh 1929" written on it. A car is parked further down the street.

Artist / maker

Rushbrook, A. H.

Date

1935

Size

20.5 x 15.3 cm

Type

Photograph

This image is from the collections of the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, formerly the Museum of Fire at Lauriston Place.

Leith Fire Force was founded as a municipal force in 1837. In 1875, Firemaster James Brown took up the position of full-time Firemaster of Leith. “Firemaster” replacing the previous “Master of Engines” title. In 1877, the Fire Brigade moved from Constitution Street to new quarters at Junction Place (pictured). The Firemaster had a flat provided above the station. Brown retired in 1909 and was replaced by Leith’s Assistant Firemaster, Mr. John Young. Young resigned in 1919 and John Guthrie from Glasgow took over.
When Edinburgh Boundaries and Tramways Act came into being in 1920, and Leith Fire Service amalgamated with Edinburgh Fire Service. Firemaster Arthur Pordage of Edinburgh was made Firemaster of the enlarged City service and John Guthrie, previously Firemaster of Leith, became Senior District Officer in charge of the Leith Station and District.

Throughout its history, Leith Fire Brigade had many dangerous fires to manage, having areas of particular high risk such as the docks, mills and bonded warehouses. In fact, prior to the amalgamation of Edinburgh and Leith, the two fire services had often co-operated. On 14 August 1901, when a serious fire took over the bonded warehouse of Melrose, Drover & Co. Limited on Mitchell Street in Leith, it was the combined actions of both services which brought the fire under control. Firemaster Pordage had been in command, covering for the Leith Firemaster who was on holiday at the time.

Read Aye Ready! The history of Edinburgh Fire Brigade by Alexander Reid.

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