Auckland Fire Brigades Museum & Historical Society inc.

17/06/2026

June 18 1912, Tuesday, sold, from Auckland FB Pitt Street Station, the 75 feet firebell and lockout tower, tower built with lattice angle iron, small glassed room on top. Sold for removal, by John [JT] Julian and Son, builders of new tower and accommodation block. Firebell sold to Northcote VFB, bell now in Auckland Museum.

16/06/2026

June 17 2025, 11:18, Tuesday, manual fire alarm actuation, multiple 111 calls, fifth alarm fire, New World Supermarket, corner Franklin Road and College Hill, Freemans Bay. Large food supermarket of two floors and mezzanine, car park on ground level, food supermarket above. Savory Construction working on renovations. On Brigade arrival, large well-developed fire on mezzanine floor and upper roof level. Brigade used three aerial appliances, multiple deliveries and BA. All persons accounted for. Very smokey fire, mobile phone Fire Alert broadcast locally to advise of smoke, wind direction southwest, shelter or protect in place. Severe traffic congestion, Operational Support busy. Probable cause accidental, hot work, sprinkler system shut down.

15/06/2026

Caption/comment!

14/06/2026

Today we farewell a true legend of the New Zealand Fire Service and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Ringo Harwood.

After an extraordinary 57 years of dedicated service, Ringo completes his final shift today, with his farewell ceremony being held at Auckland City Station at 2:00pm.

Throughout his career, Ringo has exemplified commitment, professionalism, loyalty, and service to the communities of New Zealand. His contribution to the fire service spans generations of firefighters, and his experience, mentorship, and camaraderie have left a lasting mark on all who have had the privilege of serving alongside him.

On behalf of his crew and the NZPFU, we extend our sincere thanks to Ringo for his remarkable service and unwavering dedication. His legacy will remain part of the fabric of our organisation for many years to come.

We wish Ringo and his family a long, healthy, and happy retirement. Enjoy this well-earned next chapter, Ringo—you have certainly earned it.

Thank you for your service.

57 years. An incredible achievement.

14/06/2026

June 15 2021, Tuesday, new three bay, three floor, East Coast Bays Station [83] operational, 984 East Coast Road, near Glamorgan Drive, and just north of Oteha Valley Road and Carlisle Road, North Cross. June 12 2021, Saturday, officially opened. Composite paid and volunteer crews. APG Architects, builder N Cole Construction, cost $8 million. Officially opened by Hon Jan Tinetti [L], Minister Infernal Affairs. Replaced Station built 1955 at Beach Road and Knights Road, Rothesay Bay, sold by tender April 2022, demolished April 2025. New Station provides better 360 degree coverage, away from coast, increased population. more functional and environmentally friendly workplace.

13/06/2026

June 14 1929, about 03:40, Friday, fatal fire, Hotel Cargen [1947 renamed Trans Tasman], Eden Crescent and Short Street, off Anzac Avenue, Lower City. Slow burning fire started in unoccupied bedroom in older wood section of the hotel, spread through ceiling, quickly extinguished by Brigade, Superintendent Bill [WL] Wilson. Miss Sarah, known as Sadie, Lynch [45], head waitress and well known identity, known to be terrified of flames, fell from a fire escape to a concrete basement 30 feet or 10m below, and died. Cheque and notes worth £2500 later found in her room. presumed she returned to try to recover them and became disoriented. Probable cause of fire was faulty chimney brickwork, from fireplace in downstairs lounge, which went through upper bedroom where fire originated.

12/06/2026

Service Saturday: A few well known guys in this one!

12/06/2026

Received from gOld watch
Alan (Dolly) Gray We have just been advised that Dolly passed away
a few weeks ago. Dolly’s family have posted on Facebook ... https://www.facebook.com/reel/2112538012809441
No other information available.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to
Dolly’s family and friends.

Send a message to learn more

12/06/2026

It is with great sadness that we note to passing of Ken Derrick. Ken was CFO of North Shore and a Region 1 commander before his retirement.
14 May 1928 - 12 June 2026 Aroha of Zofia and extended family and friends. Thank you to the staff at Forrest Hill Rest Home for their care. Requiem Mass for Ken will be held at St. Joseph's Catholic Church Takapuna, (entrance 10 Dominion Street) on Tuesday 16 June at 11.30 am.
Condolences to family and friends

11/06/2026

Fleet Friday
The Shand Mason horse drawn ladder
The Auckland Fire Brigade was in a terrible state in the very early 1900’s.
Operating out of a vermin infested shed in Albert Street between Wellesley and Victoria streets, the equipment was very poor. At a time when many provincial towns had either Merryweather or Shand Mason steam fire engines Auckland was deemed to have the poorest Fire Brigade in the country having to make do with manually hauled hose reels and a wagon carrying ladders that had previously been a City Council rubbish cart. Water supplies were adequate in some parts of the city due to the pumping station at Western Springs feeding a reservoir on the Karangahape ridge but in higher areas such as Ponsonby along with the area around Princes Street. the water pressure was abysmal.
At about 0100hrs on the morning of 31st of May, 1901 fire broke out in the Grand Hotel on Princes Street. It is recorded that there was a delayed call and the building was well involved when firefighters arrived but by the time they had proceeded the short distance to Victoria Street, turned to the right, travelled down the hill, crossed Queen Street and headed up Victoria Street East, then what is now Bowen Street to Princes Street none of them would have been in very capable of much fire-fighting.
Five people lost their lives at this fire. Three daughters of the licensee aged 14,13 and 6 perished in the fire along with 41 year old Fred Ayres, a bank inspector and a 22 year old housemaid who died from her injuries sustained in jumping from her bedroom window.
Firefighters were spared a great deal of the public backlash most, if not all was directed at the City Council for their failure to fund the brigade and condemnation widespread in local newspapers.
In the best traditions of the Fire Brigade though the years, Superintendent Gladding was reduced to the Deputy’s position and C A Woolley was appointed Superintendent. Tenders were called for a new Fire Station and new fire appliances were ordered within months. Included in these was a two-horse hose reel, a Shand Mason Steam fire engine and a 65ft ladder from the same company.
It appears that while Shand Mason supplied the ladder it’s origins may well have been from Germany as instructions cast into various hand wheels are in German. Nevertheless many of the principles of modern aerial appliances are evident with axle locks, leveling jacks and simple indicator systems.
The horse drawn ladder attended its last fire on the 19th of August 1941 at John Burns Ltd, the corner of Customs and Commerce Streets towed by a Ford ute from Western Districts Fire Station much to the displeasure of Superintendent W L Wilson.
The old ladder now forms part of the MOTAT Collection.