Victoria Fire Station (1899-1926)
Collected by 随意.
This historic photo shows the Victoria Fire Station, once located at the foot of Chapoo (Zhapu) Road Bridge. Here is how it was described soon after its construction: “There is erected on the south bank of the Soochow Creek, adjoining the entrance to the Chinese Public Garden, a very handsome little building, which is the fire station for the Victoria Company of the Shanghai Fire Brigade. The engine-house measures 40’ by 20’ and is entered two pairs of large doors. There is a similar pair of doors at the back to allows the reels etc being taken out into the yard for cleaning purposes. The walls are of red brick with half timbered gables, and a room 12’ by 30’ is formed in the roof for mafoos’ and coolies’ quarters...” -- Shanghai, by night and day (1902)
Built in 1899, the fire station was demolished in 1926, to make room for the enlargement of the bridge.
“The Victoria Fire Station in Soochow Road. Work of Demolition to be Commenced: A Part of the Chapoo Road Bridge Scheme.” North-China Herald, 14 Aug 1926.