In 1905, planning for Central Fire Station began under the direction of the Fire Brigade superintendent, Montague Pett. It was completed in 1908 by the Singapore Municipality. The fire station was built at a cost of S$64,000 and included a watch tower which was Singapore's highest point during the 1920s.
The red-and-white building which features a Neo-Classical architectural style survived the Japanese Occupation, as the Japanese retained British firemen who were spared imprisonment due to their importance to the country.
The Central Fire Station was gazetted as a national monument on 18 December 1998. The building is well conserved, with minimal changes to its exterior design although the facilities within are now much more advanced compared to the 1900s.
In 1989, the Singapore Fire Service was combined with the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Central Fire Station remains in use today.
The Civil Defence Heritage Gallery housed in Central Fire Station showcases the history and development of fire fighting in Singapore, from the 19th century till today.
Flutes at the Fort
Flutes at the Fort restaurant is situated on the scenic green slope at the Hill street, hidden between the buildings at Fort Canning. Housed in a black and white bungalow which was built in 1908, it used to house the Chief Fire Marshall and the Fire Chiefs of Singapore. The restaurant is connected to the Central Fire Station by a walkway through a set of stairs and is used regularly for weddings.
