Central Fire Station
62, Hill Street, Singapore 179367
Civic District Trail 2, Marker 10.

Throughout the 19th Century serious fires were occurred frequently. Once they started, they spread quickly, causing massive destruction of property and many deaths. Three fire stations were built in 1888 at Cross Street, Hill Street and Beach Road, but they were insufficiently equipped to deal with the situation. To solve this, Central Fire Station was opened in 1909. The heritage of Central Fire Station educates the public about the history Civil Defence in Singapore and how important it is to be united during times of emergency.

In 1905, the Municipal Authorities employed Montague Pett as Superintendent to reorganize the Singapore Fire Brigade. He recommended the construction of a modern central fire station, whose design included garage space for the first motorized fire engines, staff quarters, a host of time saving devices as well as a watchtower. Improved equipment and an increase in the fire brigade staff led to a substantial decrease in the number and scale of fires in the crowded town area.

The station still provides fire fighting, ambulance and rescue coverage for the Central District to this day, and is the oldest existing fire station in Singapore.

The oldest part of the building has been converted into a Civil Defence Gallery by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (the Fire Brigade’s successor) to showcase the advances and changes that have taken place in the realm of fire fighting and civil defence in Singapore.