Debate over Museum of Fire heats up

THE UK’s last Victorian fire station faces being sold off despite a petition signed by thousands of people.

The old Central Fire Station, built in 1900 and now home to Edinburgh’s Museum of Fire, is being sold by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) to cut costs.

Campaign group Friends of the Museum is fighting to keep it in its current location in Lauriston Place.

It delivered a 5,000-signature petition to St Andrew’s House six weeks ago, urging the First Minister to stop the sell-off.

On September 30, SFRS said the building would be sold, moving the museum to McDonald Road. Critics say the new location is too far from tourist areas and that the station is ‘itself an important exhibit’.

Susan Grant, of Friends of the Museum, said: ‘It is very disappointing that the Government has not fought for the museum to be retained at Lauriston Place and have shown little interest in looking at options.’

Lewis Ramsay, SFRS assistant chief officer, said: ‘Our heritage is important, not only to the people who have served in the fire service but also to the people of Edinburgh.

‘This new location will enable us to celebrate the firefighting heritage of Edinburgh and allow even more visitors to discover the story of James Braidwood and the famous Edinburgh Fire Establishment.’

A Government spokesman said the selloff and relocation of the museum was a decision for the SFRS board.