Photo: Islington Gazette
"Alpha 27" - Clerkenwell Fire Station
Is London's safety in jeopardy?
Ten London fire stations - including Clerkenwell, Europe's oldest - answered their final shouts on Jan. 9 as the government pressed on with efforts to realize millions of pounds in savings.
The move prompted emotional scenes as well as warnings that the closures - along with the removal of 14 fire engines from the streets of the capital - will lead to greater loss of life.
The Evening Standard reported: "Firefighters on Green Watch were in tears as they walked out of the Clerkenwell station, which opened in 1872, for the last time."
The building is located on Rosebery Avenue, Islington.
Belsize, Bow, Downham, Kingsland, Knightsbridge, Silvertown, Southwark, Westminster and Woolwich also closed, leaving London with 155 engines and 102 fire stations.
At Clerkenwell, the bells went down for the last time at 6:05 a.m.
The Green Watch attended a shout in Oval Road, Regent's Park along with Belsize fire station, which also faded into history.
