See how firefighting in the capital has developed over the last 340 years when the London Fire Brigade's museum has a free open day on Saturday, May 12.
The museum, at 94 Southwark Bridge Road, Southwark, houses one of the most comprehensive collections of firefighting equipment and memorabilia in the country. Visits to the museum usually have to be booked in advance but on May 12, people can just turn up between 11am and 3pm - as part of national Museums and Galleries Month. Guided tours will take place at 12.15pm, 1.15pm and 2.15pm.
Exhibits at the museum range from early leather helmets to recently replaced breathing apparatus, illustrating the history of firefighting in London from the Great Fire of 1666 to modern times. Part of the collection is housed in the appliance bay of the original Southwark Fire Station.
A room dedicated to the Blitz contains items such as medals won by firefighters, photographs, equipment and models of appliances used. The story of the Massey Shaw fireboat, which rescued over 600 soldiers from the beach at Dunkirk in 1940, is also told.
There are numerous impressive paintings by wartime artists, commissioned by the War Office to paint scenes from the Blitz.
Southwark Fire Station will also be open and firefighters will be on hand to show visitors round the appliance bay and give advice on fire safety.
Note to editors:
none
Members of the media can obtain further information from the press office on:
telephone number: 020 8536 5922
email: press@london-fire.gov.uk
