Story: Fires and fire services

Lyttelton fire, 1870 (1st of 4)

Lyttelton fire, 1870

Artist J. Sanderson painted this reconstruction of the Lyttelton fire of 1870. It raged out of control, destroying much of the business centre. At that time Lyttelton had no fire brigade, so residents were forced to fight the fire, and had to demolish buildings to stop it spreading.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: B-079-006
Watercolour by J. Sanderson

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick, 'Fires and fire services - Early fire services', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/artwork/21865/lyttelton-fire-1870 (accessed 30 March 2024)

Story by Nancy Swarbrick, published 11 Mar 2010