Firefighters in breathing apparatus prepare to enter the scene of the fire at Kings Cross Underground Station.
Firefighting and fire prevention has changed in response to lessons learnt at large and fatal incidents.
After the Smithfield fire (1958), the Brigade introduced a line for firefighters to follow in a fire. In this way they would not get lost in thick smoke, and by feeling the knots on the line they could tell how far into the fire they were. Breathing apparatus boards were also introduced to monitor when firefighters entered a burning building and how long they could remain inside before their air supply ran out.
A terrible explosion at Dudgeons Wharf (1969) was caused by workmen cutting away old tanks that had contained flammable substances. There was nothing saying what the tanks contained, and no warning of the dangers. After this the Hazchem Code was introduced in the 1970s.
A large fire in Kings Cross Station (1987) led to strict fire safety regulations being introduced in 1989. Escalators must be made from metal, litter must be cleared, heat detectors and sprinklers must be fitted and all staff must receive fire safety training.
More than 150 firefighters attended the King's Cross fire.
