Fire Museum - Fire Brigade War Horses reunited after 100 years

Sunday 03 September 2017 - Sunday 15 October 2017
10.00am - 3.00pm - Museum is open every Friday and on the first Sunday of the month

Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
Old Fire Station
Maclure Road
Rochdale
OL11 1DN

Details:

Two historic fire engines which, together, helped save the North West from a disaster a century ago, have been reunited in an exclusive event at Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum in Rochdale.

In October 1917, a massive fire and explosion at the National Shell Filling Factory at White Lund, Lancaster killed a number of local firemen and caused major damage but could have been even worse had fire brigades from all over Lancashire not sent assistance to quell the outbreak. It was the first time firefighters had been mobilised over such great distances, as crews from Liverpool, Manchester, Salford and Bolton joined others nearer to the incident. 

Only two of the many fire engines which attended that disaster still survive and now – a century later – they have been brought back together for a unique exhibition in Rochdale.

Both are horse-drawn steam-powered engines dating from the late 1800s and both were built by the famous manufacturer Shand, Mason and Co. One of them, which originally served with a private textile mill fire brigade in Preston, has been brought in from Sheffield whilst the other, formerly of the Fulwood, Lancashire, Fire Brigade has come from a museum in Leyland.

The exhibition, called 'Munitions, Mayhem and Medals' tells the story of the fire services in World War One, the difficulties they encountered, and the horrendous incidents they attended in premises connected with the munitions industry – often censored at the time - including the White Lund explosion and the Ashton-under-Lyne disaster both in 1917.

The exhibition opens on Sunday 3rd September at the Fire Service Museum and will run for approximately six weeks, with the two 'steamers' remaining on display for the duration.

The Museum is open every Friday and on the first Sunday of the month, with free admission. An additional opening date will take place on Saturday 9 September as part of the national Heritage Open Days event.

Contact: Greater Manchester Fire Service Museum
01706 341219

http://www.gmfsmuseum.org.uk

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