This film is part of Free
Turn Out of the Keighley Fire Brigade (1902)
Their brass helmets gleaming, Edwardian firefighters in the West Yorkshire town demonstrate aspects of their job.
Overview
Much of this film takes place in a railway sidings with no fire in sight, suggesting a practice drill - although this has the advantage (from the filmmakers' point of view) of allowing a very clear visual presentation of the various stages in the firemen's work. The second part shows the rescue of victims from a building's second floor via a canvas escape chute, down which they slide head first.
Horse-drawn fire engines such as the ones depicted here would remain in operation for just a few more years - the advantages of new motorised transport were particularly obvious in a field where speed was of the essence.
Related
Workforce of Parkgate Iron and Steel Co., Rotherham (1901) Workforce of Parkgate Iron and Steel Co., Rotherham (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 3 mins Silent Location: Rotherham
Edwardian workers react to the camera at one of Rotherham's major employers.
North Sea Fisheries, North Shields (1901) North Sea Fisheries, North Shields (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: North Shields
Girls gut herring on the quay at North Shields while a Showman tries to stir up trouble.
Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901) Miners Leaving Pendlebury Colliery (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Pendlebury
A black miner makes an intriguing addition to an already captivating film of coal workers up from their pit.
Workforce Leaving Alfred Butterworth and Sons, Glebe Mills, Hollinwood (1901) Workforce Leaving Alfred Butterworth and Sons, Glebe Mills, Hollinwood (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 1 mins Silent Location: Hollinwood
A flood of Lancashire cotton workers and their children at the end of another shift.
Turn Out of the Newcastle Fire Brigade (1901) Turn Out of the Newcastle Fire Brigade (1901)
Non-Fiction 1901 2 mins Silent Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Glistening brass and galloping horses thrill the crowds at a municipal Fire Brigade drill.
Co-operative Wholesale Clothing Factory in Manchester (c.1900) Co-operative Wholesale Clothing Factory in Manchester (c.1900)
Non-Fiction 1900 2 mins Silent Location: Manchester
Victorian Manchester mill workers enjoy the novelty of a moving picture camera.
Gala Day 1974 Gala Day 1974
Amateur film 1974 9 mins Location: Keighley
Keighley’s annual charity gala features weird and wonderful floats depicting icons from all eras including the Brontës and the Wombles.
Local Dialects Local Dialects
Factual TV 1987 10 mins Location: Huddersfield
This film takes us on a tour of Yorkshire and offers a profoundly interesting and focused examination of many of the area’s regional dialects.
The End The End
Non-Fiction 1965 7 mins Location: Keighley
Still haunted by the Cuban missile crisis, the folk of Keighley are reassured that local authorities are well prepared for any nuclear attack.
Wedding at Keighley Wedding at Keighley
Home movie 1939 13 mins Silent Location: Keighley
Nobody would guess, watching the celebrations for this happy couple of newlyweds, that within a month Britain would be engaged in a world war.
Push and Pull Push and Pull
Non-Fiction 1968 7 mins Location: Keighley
The age of steam lingers on as the `Worth Valley Railway Re-Opening Special' pulls into Keighley station, and hardly an anorak in sight.
Worth Valley Railway Worth Valley Railway
Non-Fiction 1982 2 mins Silent Location: Keighley
Be transported back in time through Brontë country, looking out from the footplate as passengers hang their heads out of the windows with the steam blowing through their hair.
Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.
All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A All We Imagine As Light - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 28 mins
Payal Kapadia discusses her Cannes prize-winning and Bafta-nominated drama with Ashanti Omkar.
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
Documentary 2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.