Smoke, flame, fire!

Fire! FIRE! At the first sign of a fire we call the fire brigade.

But what did people do before the fire service existed?

Learn about the evolution from the first brigades to the multi-skilled fire services that operate around the world today.

Wayland Books have partnered with The National Archives to bring you this incredible photographic record of one of the most revered professions around: firefighting.

Trace firefighting through history, beginning with the Romans.

Then learn about the Great Fire of London, the man who created the first organised fire service, the evolution of firefighting equipment and the introduction of women to the service.

Today, a firefighter does more than simply put out fires.

They play a key role in search and rescue operations, road accidents and disaster relief.

Learn about all this and more in Smoke, Flame, Fire!