Ancient Fire Engines: Showcasing a historical heritage in extinguishing fire

9 ancient fire engines that took duties together firefighters in the fire incidents of the successive eras are displayed at the Myanmar Fire Museum in Myanmar Fire Brigade Headquarters in Yangon for the public.

These ancient fire engines are over 50-years and they are showcased as a historical heritage in extinguishing fire. The Fire Museum is opened to the public with the purpose of increasing the desire of firefighters to systematically operate the fire engines/vehicles they are using with pride and preserving them as a historical heritage so that the public can learn about fire engines/vehicles and value them.

Thein Tun Oo, Director, Myanmar Fire Brigade Headquarters said “The firefighters and fire engines are always together. With the aim to have tradition on maintaining of fire engines that are being operated now and to raise fire safety awareness for young people and the students, we conduct this program. The school fire safety programs are conducted in the internationals for the students to raise awareness. When the covid-19 is free, we will invite students to show this program. In doing so, the children will understand the nature of fire services by extinguishing fire.”

Currently, the fire service can be performed conveniently than before because the number of modern fire extinguishers and equipment has increased now, a retired fire serviceman said.

Zaw Win, Retired Director, Fire Veteran Association said “In the past, when the fire incident happened, it engulfed the entire town, village and the whole market. Now, the fire can’t break out in the whole market as well as can’t burn the whole township. The number of firefighters has increased ten times than our time and the fire engines have also increased to two or three times. The firemen in this time are more capable and excellent than our time.”

The museum is displayed nine ancient fire engines, including the British-made Merryweather (Steam) and Merryweather (Petrol) fire engines, part of the world’s oldest class of fire-fighting vehicles, introduced to Myanmar in 1909 dubbed as the Fire King.