Photo library:

Our image library hosts over 40,000 photosets, dating right back to the 1890s.

The visual history of London firefighting

The images trace the history and development of the London Fire Brigade dating from the beginning of the 20th century to present day. A selection of archived images can be purchased from our online photo shop.

Here are just a few highlights:

Female firefighters in the 1930s on motorbikes

Historical photo of Firefighters using their fire hoses and a ship to put out fire in Butler Wharf

Butler Wharf fire: firefighters using their fire hoses and a ship to put out a fire

Smithfield blaze video: footage of a significant fire event

Denmark Street fire

Black and white photograph of four men walking down a cobbled street carrying baskets between them. Lots of people in the background

Silvertown explosion at a munitions factory for WWI

Black and white photograph of three female firefighters in 1938. They are holding hoses and wearing helmets

Grainy black and white photograph of the fire at Silvertown

Black and white photograph of four people that were evacuated because of the Silvertown fire. They are in ragged clothes and look directly at the camera

View all images

The visual history of London firefighting

Here are just a few highlights:

You might also be interested in the following:

London Fire Brigade Museum

Fire safety at home

History and stories

Fires and incidents that changed history