Berea Fire Station

The Berea Fire station was constructed to serve the northern district of Johannesburg in 1910. It is situated in stand 927/8 on Mitchell Street in Berea. It is sometimes known as the Doll's House and it is the oldest functioning fire station in Johannesburg. The station was built in a time when Johannesburg had electricity but paraffin lamps were still providing lighting, which added to serious fire threats.

The need for a fire brigade in Johannesburg began prior to 1900 when gold was discovered and the town became a mining town. Prospective gold miners constructed a wide range of dwellings using thatched timber, corrugated iron and canvas which were highly flammable. Johannesburg grew rapidly and increased building developments led to many fire outbreaks and the Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company led by Barney Barnato donated stands to build the fire station.

The foundation stone was laid on 15 October 1910 by Mrs D.W.Sims, mayoress of Johannesburg. She was the sister of Harry Graumann who was the mayor at that time, and the first Jewish mayor of Johannesburg. The first fire engines were horse drawn and were later motorized. After World War I petrol driven engines were used. The fireman's quarters were rebuilt around 1960. The dormer windows and garages were later additions.

The eclectic neo-baroque Edwardian building is two storeys high with a loft space in the hipped roof. A load-bearing construction, the walls are of plastered brickwork with timber and steel floors. The roof is corrugated iron and the windows are timber casements.

The front elevation is well proportioned creating an ordered and balanced appearance, but on a domestic scale. On consideration of the locality selected for the proposed building and the character of the neighbouring houses, it was deemed advisable to design the Fire Station in a more ornate style than had originally been contemplated. The ornate style and domestic scale of the building are the characteristics from which it derived its nickname ‘the dolls house'.

The ground floor is rusticated and all the openings have deeply moulded surrounds. The elevation is divided into three bays, one of which projects forwards and contains the entrance.

The projecting bay includes a grand window with arched pediment and pair of ionic pilasters at first floor level. Within the pediment is the original Johannesburg coat of arms carrying the inscription ‘Fortiter et Recte’ meaning ‘Resolutely and Right’.

Two projecting balconies supported on decorative corbels are provided at first floor level, one for the grand window and the other a continuous balcony in front of the other two bays. Two sets of large wooden and glass doors provide access for the fire engines. The building retains many of its original features internally, including the alarm bells.