Category: Fire

KX13 ZRU Bedfordshire FRS Mercedes Sprinter

KX13 ZRU
Bedfordshire FRS
Mercedes Sprinter
Pictured at a rail incident exercise in 2016. This command unit is based at Leighton Buzzard. The Network Rail Rail Incident Officer can be seen talking to the fire service

London Fire Brigade BMW i3’s

London Fire Brigade BMW i3’s

These electric vehicles were introduced in 2016 and feature a range-extender engine under the boot floor. This doesn’t power the wheels, it just charges the batteries to double the range from around 180 miles. The car is quick around the streets of the capital with 0-60 in eight seconds and a top speed of 93.

There are 52 vehicles in the fleet (as of August 2016) with the following registration plates:
LF16 EVK, LF16 PTX, LF16 XCE, LF16 YXO, LF16 PNE, LF16 PTY, LF16 YPW, LF16 YXP, LF16 PNL, LF16 PTZ, LF16 YPX, LF16 YXR, LF16 PNO, LF16 PVA, LF16 YPZ, LF16 YXS, LF16 PNU, LF16 PVD, LF16 YRG, LF16 YXT, LF16 PNV, LF16 PVK, LF16 YRK, LF16 YXU, LF16 PNZ, LF16 XBH, LF16 YRM, LG16 AXB, LF16 PPU, LF16 XBM, LF16 YRP, LG16 AXC, LF16 PPV, LF16 XBO, LF16 YXH, LG16 AXK, LF16 PPY, LF16 XBS, LF16 YXJ, LG16 AXM, LF16 PPZ, LF16 XBT, LF16 YXK, LG16 AXN, LF16 PSY, LF16 XBU, LF16 YXL, LG16 AXP, LF16 PTU, LF16 XBV, LF16 YXM, LG16 AXR.

WV16 NVY London Fire Brigade Mercedes Atego / Emergency One DPL 150

WV16 NVY
London Fire Brigade
Mercedes Atego / Emergency One
DPL 150
This is the prototype of the 2016-specification fire appliances for LFB. It carries the illustrious fleet number 150 as 2016 is the brigade’s 150th anniversary. It was passed from station to station over the second half of 2016 for evaluation and feedback.

LP 8389 ex-London Fire Brigade Dennis Type N

LP 8389
ex-London Fire Brigade
Dennis Type N

The open-top appliance has two seats at the front and wooden planks down the side for firemen to sit on as the keep hold of the ladder. A traditional bell is mounted at the front as well as the hole to enter the cranking handle to start it.

New in 1916, this appliance has quite some history behind it! It started life with London Fire Brigade in 1916 and was retired in 1932. It then became the factory fire engine for Joseph Crosfield and Sons Limited in Warrington. In 1955 they decided to donate it to Imperial College London for educational purposes. Four brave students drove the temperamental appliance some 200 miles from Warrington to London at speeds of up to 35 mph! It remains with Imperial College today.

Some of its TV and film appearances include Blue Peter in 1982 and Downton Abbey in 2014.

LX65 BWZ, LX65 BWV London Fire Brigade Nissan Navara

LX65 BWZ LX65 BWV
London Fire Brigade
Nissan Navara
These unmarked fire vehicles carry ‘SAWD’ fleet numbers, standing for specialist all-wheel drive. These are two of five identical cars used for specialist operations. They would normally be deployed on high-risk tasks or when inconspicuity is called for. For example, one use could be following behind a lone gunman street attack helping to grab and run with casualties. They would be quickly placed onto a polythene sheet and dragged by firefighters in bullet proof vests to a place of safety.

Hotel Fire (2016)

Hotel Fire (2016)

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service firefighters respond to smoke issuing from a hotel in the centre of York. The quickly don breathing apparatus to enter the building.

Edinburgh Fire Museum on Lauriston Place

Edinburgh Fire Museum on Lauriston Place – with visions of yesteryear. Construction of the building as a fire station was completed in June 1900 at a cost of £43,000. Accommodation for the firemaster was included, as well as rooms for 30 firemen and their families. There was also workshops, stables (for horse-drawn appliances), laundry and (later) a control room. The museum has used the main bays since 1988. As of 2016, the building’s future is in doubt as the fire service look to move out and sell it. This would end over 100 years of fire appliances being based in the bays.

SY 6848 Dennis Limousine

SY 6848
Dennis Limousine
Manufactured in 1936 and stationed at Musselburgh, East Lothian. This was one of the first covered appliances. The primary reason was to keep the equipment safe and dry rather than protecting the firemen from the rain and cold.

WS 113 Leith Fire Brigade Halley fire appliance

WS 113
Leith Fire Brigade
Halley fire appliance
Manufactured in 1910 by Halley Company, Glasgow, for £1000. It is one of the oldest motorised fire appliances in existence and the only example of this type of appliance in the world. It is unusual because it is mad mainly of wood, even the wheels, which have solid rubber tyres. After service in Leith it was used as a stand by appliance at Bangour Village Hospital from 1932. It then became a breakdown lorry followed by being bought by an enthusiasts for preservation. The enthusiast passed away in 1965 and the appliance was bought at auction by Carlsberg for £1740. They then kindly donated it to the Edinburgh Fire Museum.

SL 1943 National Fire Service Austin Taxi

SL 1943
National Fire Service
Austin Taxi
Commandeered by the NFS between 1939 and 1945, this Kirkintilloch taxi had ladders attached to the roof and firefighting equipment such as hose branches stowed in the passenger area. To all intents it was a fire appliance and attended many blazes during the Second World War.