Society for the Protection of Life from Fire

The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was formed in 1836 for the purposes of preserving life from fire by providing fire escapes and attendants at around seventy London locations. In 1865 the Society, including its equipment and staff, was incorporated into the fire brigade run by the Metropolitan Board of Works, which became the precursor to the modern London Fire Brigade. The Society has continued to exist and now recognises people who perform acts of bravery in rescuing others from the life-threatening effects of fires in the United Kingdom.

The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire was formed in 1836, it received Royal patronage in 1837 but lost it again in 1901 when King Edward VII declined to renew it after the death of Queen Victoria. In its 1837 annual report, the Society stated its purpose as “the preservation of Life from Fire, by organising a body of men who shall be provided with… public fire escapes… and also by exciting Fireman, Policemen and others to a prompt attention to the scene of danger – by holding out rewards, as the merit of the case may deserve”. Its main work at this time was the provision and maintenance of fire escapes at around seventy central London locations.

This extract from Cruchley's London in 1865: A Handbook for Strangers provides an excellent outline of the work being undertaken by the Society:

The Society maintains, in different parts of the Metropolis, 73 fire-escape stations, usually at distances of about half a mile from each other. At each station there is a fire-escape, attended throughout the night by a conductor well instructed in its use, and provided with all necessary implements. From 1843 to March 31, 1861, the Society's fire-escapes have attended no less than 5211 fires, and rescued 670 lives. The fire-escape in use is Abraham Wivell's; its height varies from 43 ft. to 45 ft., and by means of a supplemental ladder even 60 feet can, if necessary, be obtained. Each machine weighs 8½ cwt., and costs 60l.

In 1865 the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Act placed the responsibility of providing an efficient fire brigade onto the Metropolitan Board of Works and the equipment and staff of the Society were absorbed into the new organisation. Consequently, by 1908 the remit of the Society had changed, and was now stated as, “promoting the Protection of Life from Fire, by the grant of rewards for saving life from fire, to persons who shall have distinguished themselves or received injury while engaged in the rescue of life from fire”. This specific definition of its work, with an emphasis on the risk to life or exertions of the rescuer rather than just the attempt to save life, places the organisation into the realms of recognising heroism, rather than simply promoting or endorsing lifesaving.

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