My husband’s great-grandfather, Philip Reuby, was born in Cork, and moved to London sometime before 1861. The 1881 census shows him as a fireman, and several of his children are shown as being born in Holloway Fire Station.
As can be seen in this modern photo, there was accommodation above – as this was only about ten years after the development of the telephone, it must have been common for fire crews to live on site. Hardly restful for the wives and families though.
Holloway Fire Station is now a community centre. London Fire Brigade has a photo gallery which shows some of the personnel, equipment and uniforms of the time.
Easter Family Genealogy 