page_title: Berea Fire Station
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Berea Fire Station / History
caption_attribution_description: English: These are works from the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation with the Joburgpedia project which I'm the Wikipedian in Residence. This picture depicts the Berea fire station which was built in 1910. The building is found in Johannesburg Berea.
context_page_description: The Berea Fire station was constructed to serve the northern district of Johannesburg in 1910. It is situated in stand 927/8 on Mitchell Street in Berea. It is sometimes known as the Doll's House and it is the oldest functioning fire station in Johannesburg. The station was built in a time when Johannesburg had electricity but paraffin lamps were still providing lighting, which added to serious fire threats.
context_section_description: The need for a fire brigade in Johannesburg began prior to 1900 when gold was discovered and the town became a mining town. Prospective gold miners constructed a wide range of dwellings using thatched timber, corrugated iron and canvas which were highly flammable. Johannesburg grew rapidly and increased building developments led to many fire outbreaks and the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company led by Barney Barnato donated stands to build the fire station.
  The foundation stone was laid on 15 October 1910 by Mrs D.W.Sims, mayoress of Johannesburg. She was the sister of Harry Graumann who was the mayor at that time, and the first Jewish mayor of Johannesburg.
  The first fire engines were horse drawn and were later motorized. After World War I petrol driven engines were used. The fireman's quarters were rebuilt around 1960.  The dormer windows and garages were later additions.
caption: The Berea fire station in 1936
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