Former Fire Station (27 Edinburgh Street)

The first fire service in Pukekohe was started at 1911, made up of volunteers storing their equipment in a shed near the Odd Fellows Hall on Harrington Avenue. Shortly afterwards, the brigade moved into a purpose-built structure across from the Franklin County Council Chambers. The fire shed included a 30-foot bell tower relocated from the town centre. In 1928, the bell was replaced with a siren. The current two-storey brick building was opened on 5 April 1930. It is the work of renowned Pukekohe architect John Routly, who designed it free of charge. It included accommodation for sleeping firemen when on night duty.

The firefighters used a hand-operated reel until 1922, when it was replaced with a motorised reel mounted on a customised Ford Model T. This considerably improved the brigade’s performance. The vehicle also included a 25-foot-long ladder and a 300-foot-long hose. In 1936, the brigade purchased a powerful Ford V8 fire engine with a half-mile-long hose.

This station served the community for many decades until the Pukekohe Fire Brigade moved to its current premises in 1982. The building was purchased by the Pukekohe Borough Council in April 1983 for $72,000. Today, it hosts the Ed Street Bar & Restaurant.

Cross Edinburgh Street at the protected crossing.