Between July 2024 and June this year, there were 282 fires at historic buildings in London, according to Brigade data. The figures highlight the importance of salvage plans being in place and kept up to date at heritage properties based in the capital.
Last year, Somerset House was in the headlines due to a fire. Crews prioritised and completed life-saving procedures and swiftly followed with salvage operations to protect the iconic national heritage landmark.
As part of the Brigade’s ongoing emergency planning, firefighters recently practised their response skills, focusing on rescue and salvage operations, in a training exercise at the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone. Crews from Hendon, Kentish Town and West Hampstead Fire Stations, alongside a Command Unit from Park Royal Fire Station, attended the mock incident at the Grade II listed building situated near Regent’s Park.
It was an opportunity for firefighters and the Academy’s collections team to work together on the safe and efficient removal, and preservation, of the site’s historic artefacts in the event of a 999 emergency.
London Fire Brigade’s Heritage Co-ordinator, Sub Officer Mark Huntington said: “As London’s rescue service our priority is always to preserve life, then the building and its contents. If you have pre-prepared plans, and know your building, you’ll protect lives, utilise valuable time and save more of your building and its contents.
“These plans are vital as they detail not only actions that should be implemented by site staff, but also clearly identify priority items which need to be removed from the building or left protected, in situ, which the Brigade can assist with.”
Station Commander Adam Lawson said: “This exercise with the Royal Academy of Music was an excellent opportunity to ensure we can effectively preserve items of historical significance.
“Crews practised firefighting tactics and put plans into practical use to ensure procedures were effective in the event of a fire, ensuring that firefighters and The Academy are now fully prepared should the worst happen.”
Dean of Students at the Academy, Elizabeth Kenny, said: “Our Collections Team, led by Head of Collections Susana Caldeira, worked closely with the Brigade on this practical exercise, testing and sense-checking our emergency salvage procedures. We found the collaboration very productive and valuable, from first contact to preparing and delivering the exercise across our heritage site.”
Two firefighters discuss rescue and salvage with an employee of the Royal Academy of Music
