top of page
Search
Writer's picturemysteriesofmercia

Sun & Fire

At first glance this curious image of a sun might look like some sort of pagan imagery, a survival from past centuries. Or part of a lost local tradition perhaps?


It is actually something rather more mundane. During the later 1700s a fire insurance plaque would be fitted to the front of every building thats owners could afford the premiums. Each company kept its own firefighters and in the event of a blaze they would, initially, only put out fires on buildings displaying their plaque!

In reality most teams would douse a fire at any building, for their reputation if nothing else, and if not insured then the building owner would have to pay the entire bill for the firefighting at a later date.


Look up at the upper levels of the old buildings you walk past, some very odd looking fire plaques are still out there.



57 views1 comment

Recent Posts

See All

1件のコメント

5つ星のうち0と評価されています。
まだ評価がありません

評価を追加
Andrew James Chandler
Andrew James Chandler
2023年10月03日

I discovered an old 'fire' plaque on an old house in the village where I lived in Kent twelve years ago.🤓


いいね!
Post: Blog2_Post
bottom of page