Old Fire Engine
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| Area | Mitcham |
|---|---|
| Picture Reference | Mit_Public_Services_7-11 |
| Original Format | Photo |
| Notes / History | During the latter stage of its working life the pump, affectionately known as the “village squirt”, would only produce a jet of water if the liquid was combined with mud. This proved fortuitous in the event of the fire at Heywood’s oilcloth factory as water alone would have spread the flaming oil. However, fortune does not always smile – Ashby’s flour mill burned down in 1907 as the Mitcham brigade battled with their antiquated machinery. The squirt was finally retired and replaced by a modern steam appliance. |
