Cambridge on Fire

the Flaming Hot History of Firefighting in Te Oko Horoi

CURRENT EXHIBITION By Ruby Strawbridge August 3, 2021

Fires were used at home and work every day in 19th century Cambridge. ... a real danger in a town built of timber.

[{"selector":"#anim-be6297da-5c37-448d-8892-e4672b7ea5ff [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":4,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Open flames and coal stoves were used to prepare food and heat water for bathing and washing. Candles and oil lanterns were light sources.

Flames spread because of sparks from chimneys, ovens, and open fires.

Carelessly placed candles and overturned lamps were common fire starters too.

“With wooden buildings and little or no water, the destruction of property could be enormous in a town like Cambridge”

– THOMAS WELLS, 1879 Business Owner and later Mayor of Cambridge 1903-0 5

A staggering 32 fires burnt down homes and buildings around town in the 1880s.

Sound of crackling flames

A night watchman was employed to watch for signs of fire.

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Unfortunately, he spent a lot of time drinking in the hotels.

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Glass fire grenades were not effective either.

[{"selector":"#anim-8192aa88-f849-476d-ad05-e1ba2ecf4db4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(2.0329684171392945%, -0.0619304747660108%) scale(1.3448275862068966)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":4000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Filled with1/2 litre of salt water, they did little to quench the flames when they smashed at the base of the fire. Read more here

Inevitably, in 1889 a fire wreaked havoc on Duke Street and destroyed 14 businesses.

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A water tower was built fourteen years after the Duke St fire. At last the town had pressurised water.

[{"selector":"#anim-fda76d5e-f459-4754-b121-09c229577736 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0, -21.28301123249583%, 0)","translate3d(0, 0%, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":5000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] The fire brigade was formed a few months later.