Mittagong’s early residents coped with outbreaks of fire in the town as best they could until 1894 when the Bowral Fire Brigade was formed. It responded to their calls up until a Mittagong Brigade was established in 1915. According to local newspaper reports, the Bowral Brigade was generally called to Mittagong several times a year but residents still took immediate action.

The Scrutineer reported on May 2, 1906 that the Berrima District Herald’s office was destroyed and several other buildings damaged in an early morning fire at Mittagong. When noticed at 3.15am, the fire had a good hold, with a strong westerly gale blowing. Some residents were quickly on the scene, having responded to the ringing of the school bell, and turned their attention to saving the adjoining buildings. They had a plentiful supply of water and, as the flames caught the woodwork of the brick buildings, they were doused with buckets of water. “The Bowral Brigade turned out with promptitude but, thanks to the bucket brigade, found their task comparatively easy.”

The Scrutineer, October 29, 1910: “The Canterbury Hall, Mittagong, along with an attached six-roomed dwelling and a four-roomed weatherboard cottage at the rear, were totally destroyed by an early morning fire. The main dwelling was occupied by a family of six who succeeded in escaping through the blinding smoke.” The Bowral Brigade arrived at 4.10am, by which time locals had brought the fire under control by using the Mittagong council's hydrant and hose. The water supply and pressure were said to be excellent.

The paper noted in 1910 that, despite the considerable efforts of private individuals, Mittagong was still without a fire brigade.

The situation remained that way until, as mentioned above, a Mittagong Fire Brigade was formed in 1915, with Alderman William Terry appointed as Captain and engine-keeper. The first brigade members were: J Roberts, E Dobson, J Long, H Hill, C Andrews, H Waters, W Blatch, V Werner and T Pitts.

Pending the purchase of a fire station site, a small coach-house at the rear of Henry Springett’s premises was rented, being of sufficient size to shelter a hand-drawn hose reel, the only appliance the new brigade then had.

Built on land bought from a Matilda J Peter and fronting Bowral Road, the fire station was officially opened on September 12, 1918 by the Hon E H Farrar, MLC, president of the Board of Fire Commissioners. He was accompanied by Ald R Shepherd, the council’s representative on the Board, and Mr W McNiven (architect).

The Southern Mail reported that a large gathering assembled in the station “with the firemen under Captain Terry looking spick and span in their uniforms. The building is of fine workmanship and a decided ornament to the Main Street. It is substantially built of brick on a concrete foundation, with tiled roof, and consists of a spacious engine room, watch room, single man’s room, bathroom, store and fuel room, also a drill tank or motor pit. Electric light fittings have been put in, waiting for the long-looked for installation by Mittagong Council.”

Regarding the cost of the building, in his address Mr Farrar stated that Mittagong Council paid one-third, the insurance companies one-third, and the government one-third. They had a building that would be there in a 100 years’ time. [Indeed!]

The Mayor (Ald Springett) outlined in his remarks how the brigade had come to life and said that all could be proud of the building. Afterwards, brigade members held a supper for visitors and friends in the School of Arts.

A later story in the Berrima District Post of December 15, 1976 about the Mittagong Brigade’s beginnings stated that “in those days water mains pressure was not sufficient to combat major outbreaks of fire and so, in 1919, the Board provided a horse-drawn turbine fire pump engine, the hose reel being relegated to use on smaller outbreaks. A horse-drawn engine was not much use without a horse, so Captain Terry bought a horse called Sundowner and placed it at the disposal of the brigade”.

More about the remarkable story of this horse next week.