Inflammable Collection

Blitz in London -- Winkleys Wharf, Millwall, WW2
Blitz in London -- Winkleys Wharf, Millwall, 22 March 1944. Showing firefighters in action on barrels of paraffin wax. Date: 1944

Firefighters in action with hosepipes, Shad Thames, SE1
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at night, at a fire in Shad Thames, 19 February 1958, at the premises of Corry & Co, showing the Gainsford Street/Maguire Street corner of the building

Firefighters in action in Commercial Road, East London
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at business premises, 81/85 Commercial Road, East London, 18 June 1957. The first floor, a large tailors workshop

Blitz in London -- damage to tanks, Thames Haven, WW2
Blitz in London -- damage to tanks and pipelines at Thames Haven, near Thurrock, Essex, 7 September 1940. The ground was covered with spilt oil which was subsequently ignited during an attack

Firefighters in action, Mitcham, Surrey, WW2
Firefighters in action following a flying bomb incident in Western Road, Mitcham, Surrey, where drums of amyl acetate were involved

Fighting fires at Thames Haven oil tanks, WW2
Fighting fires at Thames Haven oil tanks during the Second World War

Ruins of the Late Fire at the London Docks, 1858. Creator: Unknown
Ruins of the Late Fire at the London Docks, 1858. The fire...originated in the South Stack Warehouse on the South Quay building, several floors high, each filled with gutta percha, saltpetre, sugar

The cotton gin near Robstown, Texas, 1936. Creator: Dorothea Lange
The cotton gin near Robstown, Texas

Ruins of the Great Fire at Bermondsey, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Ruins of the Great Fire at Bermondsey, [in London], 1850. Firemen at the scene...of a very extensive conflagration, probably the largest that has occurred in the district for years

Historical views of Austria. German postillion in his yellow jacket 52, the Prater pleasure gardens and amusement park in Vienna 53, and view of the city of Vienna in the 19th century 54

The figure of Ravana, the demon king of Ceylon, in the Hindu religious play Ram Lilla
5998138 The figure of Ravana, the demon king of Ceylon, in the Hindu religious play Ram Lilla, being performed here in Cawnpore, India (photo) by English Photographer

Firefighters in action, Calders Wharf, East London
Firefighters in action at a fire in Calders Wharf, East London, 21 May 1955. Seen here with hosepipes, cooling down barrels of collodion cotton and boxes of paint

Blitz in London -- damage to tanks, Thames Haven, WW2
Blitz in London -- damage to tanks and pipelines at Thames Haven, near Thurrock, Essex, 7 September 1940. The ground was covered with spilt oil which was subsequently ignited during an attack

The Penitent, or Fireman. This was the miner who, swathed in damp sacking, undertook the task of igniting pockets of which, the inflammable gas Methane, called Fire-damp which

Charles Balloon Leaves
The unmanned balloon with inflammable Air drawn from Iron by a Vitriolic Acid soars from the Champ de Mars, Paris, to Gonzesse where it will be attacked by peasants. Date: 27 August 1783

Charles Balloon Soars
The unmanned balloon with inflammable Air drawn from Iron by a Vitriolic Acid rises from the Champ de Mars, Paris : landing at Gonzesse it will be attacked by peasants. Date: 27 August 1783

Inflating Charles Ballon
The balloon is filled with inflammable Air drawn from Iron by means of a Vitriolic Acid; it will make an unmanned flight from the Champ de Mars to Gonzesse. Date: 27 August 1783

Militant Suffragette Crested China Figurine
A porcelain figure of a militant suffragette produced as an item of crested ware with the crest of the city of Exeter. The figure of the woman is finely detailed to illustrate her allegiance to

Firefighters at Wansdown Place, London SW6
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at a storage and maintenance works in Wansdown Place, Fulham, London SW6, 31 March 1956. Date: 1956

Firefighters at Crabtree Lane, London SW6, 12 September 1956. They are turning over the large quantities of cardboard cartons which constituted the major portion of combustible material stored

Fire safety for children -- a boy and girl playing near a wrecked car. The boy is about to strike a match near the open fuel cap

Fire at supply depot, Limmer Wharf, Barking, Essex
Panoramic view of a fire which broke out at a Ministry of Supply depot, Limmer Wharf, Barking, Essex, on 27 October 1947. Seen here is the fire in its early stages

Firefighters in action, Miles Street, Vauxhall, SW8
Firefighters in action at the premises of Brunton & Co, lead manufacturers, in Miles Street, Vauxhall, SW8, on 6 March 1957. The first floor and roof were on fire when the first crews arrived

Firefighters in action in Commercial Road, East London
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at business premises, 81/85 Commercial Road, East London, 18 June 1957. The first floor, a large tailors workshop

Firefighters in action with hosepipes, Poplar, East London
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at a fire in Simpsons Road, Poplar, East London, 25 January 1958. Showing the east side of Block D

LFB firefighters extinguishing oil can fire
Two LFB firefighters extinguishing an oil can fire

Books stacked on staircase, London SE15
Books indiscriminately stacked on a staircase between first and second floors, discovered during a four-pump fire in Lyndhurst Grove, London SE15, on 27 January 1963. Date: 1963

Firefighters in action, Mitcham, Surrey, WW2
Firefighters in action following a flying bomb incident in Western Road, Mitcham, Surrey, where drums of amyl acetate were involved

Firefighters in action, Calders Wharf, East London
Firefighters in action at a fire in Calders Wharf, East London, 21 May 1955. Seen here with hosepipes, cooling down barrels of collodion cotton and boxes of paint

South Staffordshire Coal Field, England. Holers at work in a thick seam of coal, worked in a pillar and stall system, leaving pillars of coal to support the roof

The Penitent, or Fireman. This was the miner who, swathed in damp sacking, undertook the task of igniting pockets of which, the inflammable gas Methane, called Fire-damp which

The Penitent, or Fireman. This was the miner who, swathed in damp sacking, undertook the task of igniting pockets of which, the inflammable gas Methane, called Fire-damp which

Working metal deposits at Stolberg, Prussia, Germany, in direct or descending steps. The miners are working by the light of oil lamps with naked flames as in metal mines there was none of

Napalm bomb production, 1957
Napalm bomb production. 1950s production of a napalm bomb at Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, Colorado, USA. Napalm is a flammable liquid that sticks to the skin and causes severe

Books stacked on staircase, London SE15
Books indiscriminately stacked on a staircase between first and second floors, discovered during a four-pump fire in Lyndhurst Grove, London SE15, on 27 January 1963

LFB firefighters extinguishing oil can fire
Two LFB firefighters extinguishing an oil can fire

Blitz in London -- oil tank fire, Thames Haven, WW2
Blitz in London -- foam being applied around the valve of a tank at a serious oil tank fire at Thames Haven, near Thurrock, Essex, 8 September 1940

Fire safety for children -- a boy and girl playing near a wrecked car. The boy is about to strike a match near the open fuel cap

Firefighters in action with hosepipes, Poplar, East London
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at a fire in Poplar High Street, East London, 18 April 1958. Showing the line at which the fire was cut off from involving stacks on the west of the site

Fire at supply depot, Limmer Wharf, Barking, Essex
Panoramic view of a fire which broke out at a Ministry of Supply depot, Limmer Wharf, Barking, Essex, on 27 October 1947. Seen here is the fire in its early stages

Firefighters in action with hosepipes, Shad Thames, SE1
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at night, at a fire in Shad Thames, 19 February 1958, at the premises of Corry & Co, showing the Gainsford Street/Maguire Street corner of the building

Firefighters at Crabtree Lane, London SW6, 12 September 1956. They are turning over the large quantities of cardboard cartons which constituted the major portion of combustible material stored

Firefighters at Wansdown Place, London SW6
Firefighters in action with hosepipes at a storage and maintenance works in Wansdown Place, Fulham, London SW6, 31 March 1956. The handrail on the left has been distorted by the heat

Firefighters in action, Miles Street, Vauxhall, SW8
Firefighters in action at the premises of Brunton & Co, lead manufacturers, in Miles Street, Vauxhall, SW8, on 6 March 1957. The first floor and roof were on fire when the first crews arrived

Burning Bush - in grassland - Romania
ROG-14009 Burning Bush - in grassland Romania. Dictamnus albus Bob Gibbons contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

LCC-LFB - Fire investigation, suspected arson fire
The LFB would gather photographic evidence, wherever possible, as to the probable cause of fire where arson was suspected or proven

An oil fire test at Shoeburyness, Essex, WW2
Firefighters put out an oil fire during a test at Shoeburyness, Essex

Priestleys apparatus for gas experiments
Priestleys apparatus. Engraving showing apparatus used by Joseph Priestley in his experiments on air. The types of air used are fixed air (carbon dioxide)

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"Inflammable: The Fiery Battle Against Destruction" During the Blitz in London, tanks were not only damaged by bombs but also faced the threat of raging fires. At Thames Haven, firefighters fought valiantly to extinguish flames engulfing oil tanks, preventing catastrophic explosions during World War II. In Mitcham, Surrey, brave firefighters sprung into action as they battled infernos with unwavering determination. Armed with hosepipes and courage, they stood strong against the destructive forces that threatened their community. Shad Thames witnessed a spectacle of heroism as firefighters fearlessly confronted roaring flames. Their actions exemplified resilience and unity in the face of adversity in SE1. Commercial Road in East London became a battleground for these fearless warriors who relentlessly fought against towering infernos. Their selflessness and dedication saved countless lives amidst chaos and destruction. Miles Street in Vauxhall bore witness to the indomitable spirit of those who risked everything to protect their city from devastation. Firefighters braved intense heat and danger to ensure safety prevailed even in SW8. The Blitz brought forth an unprecedented challenge when an oil tank caught fire at Thames Haven during World War II. With unwavering resolve, courageous individuals battled tirelessly to prevent catastrophe from consuming this vital hub. Amidst historical views of Austria lies a poignant reminder - like a Viking's funeral pyre illuminating the night sky - that fire can both destroy and inspire change through its transformative power. In Cawnpore, India, Ravana's figure loomed large as part of Ram Lilla's Hindu religious play; it symbolized how fire can be revered or feared depending on its context - either igniting devotion or instilling terror within hearts. A chilling reminder came through an image capturing a firedamp explosion in 1932 – showcasing nature's volatile fury unleashed upon unsuspecting miners; reminding us that even unseen dangers can ignite disaster if left unchecked. As Charles Balloon Leaves, we are reminded of the fleeting nature of fire's beauty.