The industrial heritage of the city certainly increased the chances of fire in the late 20th century. Leeds Kirkgate Market was devastated by fire in 1975 and numerous warehouses and mills over the decades have succumbed to flames fed by the textiles that made the city famous. The antidote to all these calamities has been the intrepid Leeds Fire Brigade who have run towards danger to tackle blaze and accident ever since their beginning in 1860. Small children in the 1970s may have thought it was all “Pugh, Pugh, Barney McGrew, Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub.” But in fact the reality was a lot more serious. READ MORE: The night Kirkgate Market was devastated by fire LOVE LEEDS? LOVE NOSTALGIA? Join Leeds Retro on facebook
1. Leeds Fire Brigade
This small room at Central Fire Station on Park Street was the operational nerve centre of Leeds Fire Brigade in January 1960. Pictured is Irene Moorin who receives radio messages from firefighters attending call-outs in the city.
2. Leeds Fire Brigade
Leeds Fire Brigade was called to Hunslet RL club's ground at Parkside in February 1958 to pump away flood water from the cricket pitch and pavilion.
3. Leeds Fire Brigade
HM Inspector of Fire Brigades Mr. P. P. Booth inspecting members of the Leeds City Fire Brigade at Gipton Fire Station in September 1955.
4. Leeds Fire Brigade
October 1952 and Leeds Fire Brigade had taken delivery of three new Rolls-Dennis fire engines, the first peacetime additions since before the war. They were the latest design and could pump 625 gallons a minute at 100lb pressure.
5. Leeds Fire Brigade
Stonegate Road Fire Station which was opened by the Lord Mayor of Leeds in May 1957.
6. Leeds Fire Brigade
September 1961 and an 1891 model of the Samson Steam fire engine, which had 60 years of operational life, was brought into action again at the Leeds Eastern Fire Station.