POST HAVELOCK HOUSE FIRE
The fire at Havelock House had brought shame on the town of Sunderland and the Council quickly got to work to turn around the dreadful arrangements for tackling fires in area.
In June 19OO, upon recommendation of the Watch Committee, the Town Council decided to reduce the number of auxiliary firemen by six, appointing four permanent men in their places. They would also purchase two additional horses and fit electric call bells in the houses of the permanent men. Wages were also increased, from 32/6d to 35/- per week for the Chief Engineer and from 25/- to 27/6d for drivers.
Following another large fire at Kennedy's Drapery store in 19O4, it was reported that "Sunderland is somewhat better equipped with fire extinguishing appliances than in 1898. Then, there was no steamer, and the principal item of equipment was a quantity of inferior hose, especially provided with punctures. Both then, and now, the firemen were made of the right stuff, but their present apparatus is of the best. Still they are handicapped by the absence of a properly fitted up station. The horses have to be brought some distance to the engines, and this wastes time, and secondly, the automatic alarm system is not sufficiently extended".
The Council quickly identified a site at Dun Cow Street, where a new fire station would be built and, on 23rd January 19O8, the new Fire Brigade headquarters station was officially opened by Alderman Kirtley, Chairman of the Watch Committee. The buildings were erected at a cost of �7,822 12s 1Od.
