London Fire Brigade Museum collection put into storage

Until September last year the museum was based at Winchester House, part of the former fire brigade training centre on Southwark Bridge Road.

With that site now being sold to make way for a new secondary school and new homes, the museum collection has been packed up to be put into storage until the museum's new home at Albert Embankment is completed.

The artefacts include more than 400 tunics and pairs of trousers, around 350 helmets and eleven vintage fire engines, which had to be hoisted onto special flat bed trucks.

"It's been a huge challenge to pack up the museum's rich and varied collection of London Fire Brigade history," said curator Jane Rugg.

"It's certainly the end of an era moving out of Winchester House.

"However, in the brigade's 150th anniversary year, we are very excited about the future of the museum.

"Rehousing the artefacts in a purpose-built space will provide us with an opportunity to modernise our exhibits, host more school visits and encourage families to come and learn about our history and its influence on the work of the fire brigade today and the importance of fire prevention.

"This is a key part of our community safety work."

Lambeth Council is currently considering a planning application (16/03122/FUL) to turn part of the brigade's vacant Albert Embankment complex into a pop-up museum whilst plans for the comprehensive redevelopment of the site are drawn up.

• The museum now has its own Tumblr site.