To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette
Fire Protection
Sir,
The outbreak of fire at Hare Street, an account of which appeared in your last issue, has aroused interest on the question of fire protection in Buntingford and district.
Before the war, the Buntingford Fire Brigade were an efficient and well-equipped body. The Brigade, however, was a voluntary one, and any renewels and repairs were, I understand, borne by the Brigade itself.
Today, voluntary service is a different matter, in which the cost of accoutrements, &c., and the loss of renumerative time play a large part. It is also doubtful whether at any during the day, horses could be obtained to draw the engine to the scene of a fire out of Buntingford itself.
Fortunately, in Buntingford, a good supply of water is available from the town mains, but a body of men is necessary to deal with any outbreak of fire, and to know the exact position of any of the various fire hydrants.
It is argued that the Ware or Hertford engines could be summoned, but should a fire break out in the town considerable damage might be caused before any outlying brigade arrived.
It is thought that steps should be taken to ensure that, in the event of a fire in Buntingford or district, the outbreak could be dealt with at once. Perhaps this important matter will come before the Buntingford and District Improvement Society.
Yours faithfully,
Tradesman, High Street, Buntingford.
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Transcriber note - There isn't a copy of the report of the Hare Street fire referred to at the beginning of this article.