Central Fire Station Singapore

The Central Fire Station is Singapore’s oldest purpose-built fire station and one of the most recognisable landmarks along Hill Street. Situated within the Museum Planning Area of the Central Area, it continues to serve operational functions while also housing the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery, the official museum of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). The building’s architectural and historical significance led to its designation as a National Monument of Singapore in 1996.

Historical Development

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Singapore relied on a number of small makeshift fire stations staffed largely by volunteer firefighters. This arrangement proved inadequate for a rapidly urbanising town. In 1905, Montague William Pett, then associated with fire service development, proposed establishing a centralised headquarters to replace the scattered facilities.
Construction of the Central Fire Station commenced soon after, and the building opened in 1908 at a cost of £64,000. The original complex consisted of a three-storey main block, garages designed for the early motorised fire engines, dormitories for approximately 68 firemen, space for equipment repairs, a training yard and a prominent lookout tower. Over the next three decades, extensions were added to cater for the expansion of the fire brigade and the increasing demands of urban firefighting.
The building’s recognition as a national monument in 1996 affirmed its importance in Singapore’s civic history, architectural heritage and emergency services evolution.

Renovation and Modernisation

A major renovation programme took place between 1998 and 2001 to improve both operational efficiency and heritage preservation. The works involved internal reconstruction, including the demolition of outdated blocks and installation of modern dormitories, upgraded facilities and new parking bays for fire trucks. Despite the extent of the renovation, the 32-metre tower block—a defining feature of the original station—was restored rather than replaced.
During this extensive refurbishment, the Central Fire Station continued to operate, maintaining frontline readiness while undergoing transformation. The total cost of renovation was estimated at S$8.6 million.
The project also integrated a dedicated museum component, laying the foundation for what became the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery.

Civil Defence Heritage Gallery

Opened in 2001 at close to S$3 million, the Civil Defence Heritage Gallery occupies part of the Central Fire Station and serves as a comprehensive public education space on the history of firefighting and civil defence in Singapore. The idea for the gallery emerged in 1995 as part of broader efforts to document and interpret the nation’s emergency services heritage.
The gallery features:

• Exhibits tracing civil defence development from the nineteenth century to the present day
• Displays of antique fire appliances, protective gear and operational equipment
• Customised interactive stations that simulate aspects of firefighting and rescue missions
• Guided visits to the station’s watchtower, once the highest vantage point in Singapore during the 1920s

Architectural and Civic Significance

Beyond its operational function, the Central Fire Station is an important architectural landmark. Its red-and-white façade, characteristic of early twentieth-century civil buildings in Singapore, underscores the stylistic blending of utilitarian design with colonial-era aesthetics. As a continuously functioning emergency facility for more than a century, it represents the evolution of Singapore’s firefighting capabilities from volunteer-based services to a modern, professional civil defence force.