Fire plaques

Fire plaque West St

Fire Plaque on Old Vicarage

Phoenix Fire plaque

Fire Insurance plaques.

The creation of modern fire insurance began following the catastrophe of the Great Fire of London in 1666.  By the end of the 17th century, insurance companies decided it was less expensive to put out the fire than to build a new property.  And so, insurance companies introduced their own fire brigades.  At around the same time, ‘fire mark plates’ were created in order that the brigades could identify which company had insured the building.

In Helpston we  find ‘fire mark plates’ on a small number of properties.

County Fire marks

The COUNTY ¹ ‘fire marks’ are still in situ on the houses and bear a visible patina – the production of oxidation causing the green film on the metal plate.

Phoenix Fire mark

The Phoenix ² ‘PROTECTION’ fire mark was outside Tinderbox Cottage on the porch hood and had been over painted in a variety of finishes over time. These have been removed and the base metal and brass workings are now clearly visible.

1.  The Pigot and Co.s ROYAL National & Commercial Directory of 1841 lists  S J Sharpe, High Street, Market Deeping as a local FIRE &c. OFFICE AGENT
2. The Pigot and Co.s ROYAL National & Commercial Directory of 1841 lists Nelson Wilkinson, Long Causeway, Peterborough as a local FIRE &c. OFFICE AGENT