To mark 160 years since the formation of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, our Curators are excited to reveal 160 remarkable objects from the museum’s historic collection. 

Together, they reveal personal stories of ingenuity, skill, and bravery, alongside ground breaking equipment innovations and the evolving techniques that have kept London and its people safe. These objects also highlight the Brigade’s wider influence - shaping firefighting practices across the UK and around the world.

Join us throughout 2026 as we unveil 160 objects that tell the story of London’s fire brigade - from iconic treasures to wonderfully quirky surprises.

Origins of London's Fire Brigade

Following the devastation caused by the fire at Tooley Street, five years later in 1866, London took a major step toward modern public safety.

The Metropolitan Board of Works (MBW) introduced the Act for the Establishment of a Fire Brigade, making the MBW responsible for providing well‑equipped fire stations, trained firefighters, engines, horses, and essential gear.

The equipment of the London Fire Engine Establishment and the Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was transferred to this new, unified service: the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

For the first time, London had a publicly funded, organised fire brigade - marking the birth of the modern fire service.