Building    From 1903  To 1965

Pageants Wharf fire station

In its time, it was one of the busiest fire stations in London. Fires frequently broke out in the nearby wharves, and during the Blitz, the station attended many fires following bomb attacks. It has now been converted into flats.

From Wikimedia: "Pageants Wharf Fire Station. Rotherhithe Street, London, SE16 Opened 05-03-1903 at a cost of £3280 and closed in 1969 with the demise of Surrey Commercial Docks. The unusual feature about the units based at the station was that they were not allowed to cross over the swing bridges either end of Rotherhithe Street and Redriff Road. This was to ensure that if a fire broke out between the bridges at least some assistance would be guaranteed. After it closed the building was taken over by the Brooks brothers as a car body repair shop. These did so well they later became a main Ford agent with new premises in Bermondsey."

From Media Store: "Built by the London County Council and opened in 1903, Pageants Wharf fire station still stands .... With the decline of the Surrey Docks system and removal of the swing bridges at either end of Rotherhithe Street (replaced by permanent access) the station was closed in 1968."

The plaque seems to think this station was known as Old Rotherhithe Fire Station but that's confusing. London Picture Archive has a photo of "Rotherhithe Fire Station". This was built in 1887 at the junction Gomm Road/Lower Road. It closed in 1928 and was subsequently demolished.

From London's Burning (TV series) "Rotherhithe Fire Station is a fictional fire station in the London Fire Brigade's South East Area and a neighbour of Blackwall. The Rotherhithe station seen in London's Burning is the real life Peckham Fire Station."

If you are interested in old fire stations do check out the source of this image: Fire Stations - they are recording every British fire station.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Pageants Wharf fire station

Commemorated ati

Pageants Wharf fire station

The Old Fire Station Rotherhithe {By an image of two WW2 firemen:} Restored b...

Read More

Other Subjects

H. T. Purkis

H. T. Purkis

Either lost his life, or gave distinguished service to the London Fire Brigade, and was buried in the Highgate Cemetery plot between 1884 and 1955.

Person, Emergency Services

1 memorial
D. H. Lone

D. H. Lone

Either lost his life, or gave distinguished service to the London Fire Brigade, and was buried in the Highgate Cemetery plot between 1884 and 1955.

Person, Emergency Services

1 memorial
Leslie John Palmer

Leslie John Palmer

Fireman killed as a result of an air raid on Plaistow Road, E15 on 19 March 1941. Fireman Leslie John Palmer was born on 3 January 1910 in Penge, Kent, the 4th son of George Walter Palmer (b. 1869...

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
2 memorials
Walter Henry Childs

Walter Henry Childs

Auxiliary fireman killed in the bomb attack on Henry Cavendish School, Balham. Our colleague Andrew Behan has kindly researched this man: Auxiliary Fireman Walter Henry Childs was born on 27 March...

Person, Emergency Services

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial
Dr. Leonard Moss

Dr. Leonard Moss

Member of the ARP/Civil Defence Services - mobile first aid unit. Andrew Behan has kindly provided this research: Dr. Leonard Moss, MB, BS, MRCS, LRCP, was born on 14 April 1904. He was a son of S...

Person, Emergency Services, Medicine

War dead non-military, WW2
1 memorial

Previously viewed

George Z. Kaloghirou

George Z. Kaloghirou

SW1, Belgrave Square

The Cultural Section of the Italian Embassy is at 39 Belgrave Square. That may explain the location of this statue. Discovering London ha...

1 subject commemorated
Anna Walsh

Anna Walsh

Painter specialising in animals.

Person, Art

1 memorial
Bakers Chop House

Bakers Chop House

A tavern/restaurant at 1 Change Alley. 2019: We were kindly contacted by Raymond Cross who told us that his great great uncle, William Mann Cross ( ? - 1919) was the owner and proprietor of this r...

Building, Commerce, Food & Drink

1 memorial
India House - in India

India House - in India

India, W, India, Gujarat, Kutch, Mandvi, Kutch

This town is the birthplace of Shyamji Krishna Varma, who founded India House.

3 subjects commemorated
Norwegian Government-in-exile

Norwegian Government-in-exile

SW7, Princes Gate, Kingston House North

The official Norway site provides useful background information for this plaque.  See also the Norwegian gratitude stone.

1 subject commemorated, 2 creators