Fire Buffs promote the general welfare of the fire and rescue service and protect its heritage and history. Famous Fire Buffs through the years include Edward VII, who maintained a kit at a London fire station.

January 22, 2010

CIVIL SERVICE - 1982

Photo: Soho Fire Station web site
On July 27, 1982, flames swept the Civil Service Building and adjacent structures at The Strand in London's West End.

The fire, which injured two firefighters, started at about 5 a.m. and spread to eight stories of the building before it was extinguished at midday, according to news reports. The flames were fueled by exploding acetylene cylinders used for construction work.

The pump escape, pump and turntable ladder from Soho and pump from Westminster answered the initial alarm, and subsequent calls brought a total of 20 engines and six turntable ladders, according to the Soho fire station web site.

The STOP message said: "A range of buildings, 5 floors and basement, 40m x 80m, 60% of all floors, 10% of basement and 60% of roof dxf, 15 Jets, 8 Ground monitors, One HP monitor, BA," according to the Soho web site.