The building of a fire station in Baranovichi
It is not known for certain how many similar buildings were built in Western Belarus during the times of the Second Rzeczpospolita (1918-1939). It is only known that, as of today, there are 2 of them that have remained in their original form. And both of them are not too far apart: one of them is in Baranovichi, the other, which is absolutely the same, is 70 km far from it, in the village of Byten, Ivatsevichi District.
They are both of irregular hexagon shape and have a 4-floor 25-meter high watch tower. They were built at about the same time, in the 30ies of the 20th century and since then have been used as fire stations.
Looking like Siamese twins from Brest Region...
It goes without saying that the fire service itself had been established in Baranovichi much earlier before this special building was built in Thalman Street (during the Polish Republic it was Zhwirka Street). Way back in the 90ies of the 19th century, when almost all buildings were wooden, there was an urgent need for a firegrade. Owing to the enthusiasts and sponsorship of such distinguished townspeople as Messrs Shiliner, Shimansky, Chernikhov, Gurvich, Turecky and others, such a team called Rozwadowsky Free Fire Society was formed.
Prior to the First World War, the society numbered over a hundred volunteers. A plot of land had been bought within the precints of the town and in 1906 a fire station was established in about the same place where now there is Fire and Rescure Unit No. 1 (between Dimitrov and Brestsky Streets). Although popularly the fire station was labeled as “a fire shed”, the firefighters did their job quite well and mass fires were put an end to.
By the end of the 30ies, Baranovichi firefighters had at their disposal a new fire station with a watch tower built of brick, underground water tanks, 2 specially equippped fire-fighting vehicles and fire uniforms. The number of firefighters increased including the women of the medical team.
After WWII, the voluntary fire society was dismissed and professional firefighters took over.
Today the building of the Fire Station in Thalman Street houses Fire and Rescue Unit No. 2.
Geographic coordinates: N 53° 07' 57,83" E 26° 02' 41,15"
Foto: Олега ПОНОМАРЕВА, интернет
