Todmorden Fire Service - MOT00446

First Motor Fire Engine - Local officials and visitors from neighbouring towns met at the Fire Station on 30th October 1914 to witness the arrival of the new motor fire engine, delivered by Merryweather & Co. of London. Shortly after 2 o'clock, they followed the new fire engine in a special bus to Hare Mill where the powerful 'Hatfield' pump was put through a number of tests. In the first test, using two 75 ft. lengths of hose and a pressure of 180 lbs., the jet reached just below the word 'Hare' on the chimney, a height of 105 ft. All the tests proved successful. Afterwards, the engine, driven by one of Merryweather's men, made a trial run to Portsmouth, then to Callis Bridge and on to Walsden for a deep lift from the canal at Hollins Bridge. In its vermilion-painted livery, the new engine was fitted with a 4-cylinder petrol-driven motor capable of delivering 60-70 hp and speeds of up to 40mph. Pictured outside the engine-house at Hare Mill are the Mayor of Todmorden, Alderman Robert Jackson (on the right), Councillor Fred Pickes, Chairman of the Watch Committee, and the Merryweather's representative. In the 19th Century, Todmorden was expanding rapidly and the need for a fire fighting force was obvious. Certain local firms had their own brigades, who could be and were, used in the town. In 1884 a petition to the Local Board requested the purchase of a steam fire engine and manned by a brigade. In 1885 the engine was purchased and a brigade appointed. In 1900 the brigade moved to Waterside Mill. A motor fire engine was purchased in 1914.

In 1941 the service was taken over by the state, denationalised in 1948, and put under the control of the West Yorkshire Fire Service.

Unknown

Todmorden Information Centre Trust

1914, 1910s

PHDA - Todmorden Information Centre Trust

Pennine Horizons Digital Archive

MOT00446.tif