Fire Engines Photos

This building still stands! between Crook and Billy Row, to the north, on the B6298. The "pipe yard" was, I think a factory making ceramic drainpipes but with coal mines nearby the station may have provided a rescue service there.

Added by Michael Bissett-Powell on 01 February 2012.

Yes Michael.....its the former Mines Rescue Station at Roddy Moor......last time I saw it it was home to a racing pigeon transporter !!!

Added by Barrie Green on 01 February 2012.

Hi Richard the Durham & Northumberland Colliery Fire Rescue Brigade provided fire cover to the local area from several station's in the North East as well as the Collieries.
he main appliance is a Merryweather Hatfield pump which would date from the 1912 period the other appliance could be an equipment tender based on a car, with it been on pnematic's I would place it later 1919/20.
the station continued to provide local cover for Durham County Fire Brigade until 1955 when the agreement came to an end requiring the Brigade to arrange emergency cover until the construction of Fire Stations in those area's.
I have not heard the term Pipe yard fireman, whether this may refer to a man responsible for an industrial steam boiler similar to the railway term fireman?

Added by Brett Clayton on 02 February 2012.

One of my ancestors - Thomas Henry Shield was Fire Chief at this station around 1900 or therabouts. Any more photos?

Added by Pamela Golding on 17 March 2013.

The Merryweather Hatfield J 2475 is a Durham County vehicle, and is very similar to units delivered to the LCC in 1912/13, except that it seems to be carrying a very unusual ladder with small carriage wheels. The car, BB 815 is a Newcastle-on-Tyne registration, and looks like it may be a Stryker. From these registrations, I think the photo is likely to be around 1914 or a bit later. (Quite a few passenger cars had pneumatic tires as early as 1908.)

Added by Rob Johnson on 16 August 2013.

The big pump is one of four Merryweather Hatfield motor pumps ordered for the Durham and Northumberland Collieries Fire and Rescue Brigades stations at Elswick, Ashington, Houghton le Spring and Crook. The Rescue car is a Newcastle built Armstrong Whitworth, also one of four for the brigade. The ladders on the motor pump were added later when the brigade started providing fire cover for local councils. The small carriage wheels are not part of the ladder set. It is a demountable hose reel.

Added by Ron Henderson on 16 August 2013.

Thanks Ron. Very interesting information. I am a big fan of hose carts, which are still very popular in Germany and France, but I never knew of any ever being used on British pumps until now! The second vehicle is a brand I never heard of - a forerunner of Armstrong-Siddley?

Added by Rob Johnson on 16 August 2013.

Yes forerunner of Armstrong Siddeley before 1919. Standby for a better photo of the hose cart. The collieries brigade used the hose carts until the 1960's.

Added by Ron Henderson on 16 August 2013.

I live here now in 2025! That building still stands. Seeing this made me quite emotional to think these brave men must have went out to rescue men who were trapped.

Added by Gary Wilkie on 18 July 2025.

Gary I for one am very pleased this historic building has been preserved thanks to you. Fire stations are an important part of our history and I always enjoy seeing them, in their original condition, after renovation or restoration, and even when they have been thoughtfully repurposed as museums, commercial buildings or even restaurants - provided of course in the latter case that the food is good, as at the Old Firehouse in Chicago!

Added by Rob Johnson on 21 July 2025.

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