Return of the Vintage ‘Turn Table Ladder’ Fire Engine to Fire Services Is a Matter of Pride – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Unveiled at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Headquarters

Mumbai, January 2026 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the return of the historic 1937 ‘Turn Table Ladder’ fire engine to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s Fire Brigade service is a moment of pride for Mumbaikars.

The vintage ‘Turn Table Ladder’ fire engine was unveiled by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters.

On this occasion, BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Dr. Ashwini Joshi, Chief Fire Officer of the Mumbai Fire Brigade Ravindra Ambulgekar, industrialist Gautam Singhania, and other dignitaries were present.

The historic fire engine equipped with a turn table ladder, manufactured in 1937, played a crucial role in controlling a massive fire that broke out on a cargo ship at the Mumbai docks in 1944. The Mumbai Fire Brigade has now successfully restored this iconic vehicle. Chief Minister Fadnavis inspected the vintage fire engine with keen interest and lauded the efforts taken to preserve and conserve it.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Mumbai Fire Brigade is among the most efficient fire services not only in India but in the world. Firefighters of the Mumbai Fire Brigade have repeatedly risked and sacrificed their lives to save citizens. Numerous firefighting operations were carried out with the help of this historic vehicle. Its return in a renewed form is a matter of pride for both the BMC Fire Brigade and the people of Mumbai. He also emphasized the importance of preserving and conserving such old and historic heritage assets.

Restoration of the Historic 1937 ‘Turn Table Ladder’ Fire Engine by the Mumbai Fire Brigade

This historic fire engine with a turn table ladder was manufactured in 1937 by the Leyland Company in England and was inducted into the Mumbai Fire Brigade fleet on September 24, 1941. At the time, the ladder was considered advanced technology, enabling firefighters to reach tall buildings, warehouses, and elevated areas in the dock region. The ladder was constructed entirely of iron and could be rotated manually using a simple mechanical system.

On April 14, 1944, a devastating fire broke out on the cargo ship S.S. Fort Stikine, anchored at the Mumbai docks. The ship was loaded with ammunition, explosives, fuel, and war materials, causing the fire to escalate into a catastrophic blaze. In such extreme conditions, firefighters of the Mumbai Fire Brigade undertook rescue operations using the turn table ladder fire engine. With its help, they reached tall dockside warehouses to extinguish fires, rescued people trapped near the ship, and brought injured persons down from heights. Despite the tragic loss of many lives in the incident, the relentless efforts of the Mumbai Fire Brigade saved numerous others.

New Life to the Vehicle through the Vision of the Municipal Commissioner and Support of Industrialist Gautam Singhania

Over time, the vehicle became non-operational and was preserved as a memorial at the Mumbai Fire Brigade headquarters at the Byculla Fire Station. Recognizing its historical significance, BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani conceived the idea of restoring the vehicle. With the cooperation of renowned industrialist Gautam Singhania, efforts were initiated to give the vehicle a new lease of life. The restoration work was undertaken at the Super Car Club Garage by JK Investors (Bombay) Limited.

Reviving a vehicle that had remained non-functional for decades was a challenging task, especially repairing worn-out mechanisms and sourcing the original spare parts, which were no longer available due to the vehicle’s age. To overcome this, historical technical records, drawings, and references were researched extensively. Based on these, detailed designs of each component were prepared, and the spare parts were newly manufactured using modern technology.

The vehicle is now fully ready for fire service duties once again. Through the vision of Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, the support of industrialist Gautam Singhania, and the research-driven innovation and creativity of the engineers involved, this historic fire engine of the Mumbai Fire Brigade has been restored to its former glory.