What firefighters learned inside London’s historic Royal Academy of Music during an emergency rescue drill
Iain Hoey
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Fires at historic buildings in London
London Fire Brigade has reported that 282 fires occurred at historic buildings in the capital between July 2024 and June 2025.
The Brigade said the figures show why heritage sites must maintain current salvage plans to protect buildings and collections during emergencies.
In 2024, Somerset House was affected by a fire, and crews carried out life-saving procedures before moving to protect the building’s cultural assets.
The Brigade explained that this incident highlights the importance of rehearsed salvage planning alongside firefighting operations.
It added that protecting lives remains the top priority, followed by preserving the building and its contents where possible.
Training exercise at the Royal Academy of Music
London Fire Brigade firefighters recently trained at the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone to practise emergency rescue and salvage operations.
The exercise involved crews from Hendon, Kentish Town and West Hampstead Fire Stations, with a Command Unit from Park Royal Fire Station.
The Brigade confirmed that the mock incident took place at the Grade II listed building near Regent’s Park.
It said the aim was to test the joint response between firefighters and the Academy’s collections team during a simulated 999 call.
The Brigade added that staff and firefighters practised how to remove or protect historic artefacts safely.
Salvage planning and priorities
London Fire Brigade’s Heritage Co-ordinator, Sub Officer Mark Huntington said: “As London’s rescue service our priority is always to preserve life, then the building and its contents.
“If you have pre-prepared plans, and know your building, you’ll protect lives, utilise valuable time and save more of your building and its contents.
“These plans are vital as they detail not only actions that should be implemented by site staff, but also clearly identify priority items which need to be removed from the building or left protected, in situ, which the Brigade can assist with.”
The Brigade explained that these plans are intended to streamline operations during emergencies.
It added that such preparation allows crews to act faster and more effectively.
Firefighting tactics and preparedness
Station Commander Adam Lawson said: “This exercise with the Royal Academy of Music was an excellent opportunity to ensure we can effectively preserve items of historical significance.
“Crews practised firefighting tactics and put plans into practical use to ensure procedures were effective in the event of a fire, ensuring that firefighters and The Academy are now fully prepared should the worst happen.”
The Brigade confirmed that training exercises of this type form part of its wider preparedness strategy.
It said drills allow operational procedures to be tested before real incidents occur.
Collaboration with the Academy
Dean of Students at the Academy, Elizabeth Kenny, said: “Our Collections Team, led by Head of Collections Susana Caldeira, worked closely with the Brigade on this practical exercise, testing and sense-checking our emergency salvage procedures.
“We found the collaboration very productive and valuable, from first contact to preparing and delivering the exercise across our heritage site.”
The Academy said it intends to use the outcomes of the exercise to strengthen internal salvage procedures.
It added that working directly with the Brigade gave staff greater awareness of their roles during emergencies.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
The Brigade’s report highlights the number of fires at historic buildings in London and underlines the importance of planning for both life safety and cultural preservation.
Fire safety professionals can see from this case how pre-prepared salvage plans can be integrated into emergency response.
The training also shows the value of close cooperation between building staff and firefighters in protecting heritage assets.
Emergency rescue training at Royal Academy of Music: Summary
London Fire Brigade reported 282 fires at historic buildings in London between July 2024 and June 2025.
The Brigade said the figures show the importance of salvage planning at heritage sites.
In 2024, Somerset House was affected by fire and salvage operations protected cultural assets.
The Brigade confirmed it carried out a training exercise at the Royal Academy of Music in Marylebone.
Crews from Hendon, Kentish Town, West Hampstead and Park Royal stations attended the drill.
The exercise simulated a 999 call at the Grade II listed building near Regent’s Park.
The Brigade said firefighters worked with the Academy’s collections team on artefact preservation.
Sub Officer Mark Huntington said prepared plans save lives, time and heritage items.
Station Commander Adam Lawson said the exercise improved salvage preparedness.
Dean of Students Elizabeth Kenny said the collaboration tested the Academy’s salvage procedures.
