1888: SELANGOR VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE KUALA LUMPUR

This image captures a significant piece of Malaysian history: the Selangor Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1888, stationed at High Street, Kuala Lumpur.

Historic Context

In the late 1800s, Kuala Lumpur was a rapidly growing town built primarily of wood and attap (thatch), making it extremely vulnerable to fire. After a devastating fire in 1881 nearly leveled the town, the British colonial administration prioritized fire safety.

• The Brigade: This unit was the Selangor State Fire and Rescue Volunteers Squad, established in 1883. It was the precursor to the modern Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba).
• The Leadership: The man often credited with leading this early force was H.F. Bellamy, the head of the Selangor Public Works Department.
• The Location: High Street was one of KL's most important early thoroughfares. It was later renamed Jalan Bandar and is known today as Jalan Tun H.S. Lee.

The Buildings in the Photo

• The Fire Station: The brick building with the distinctive gabled roof in the center served as the fire station. Its brick construction was a direct result of new building regulations enacted by Resident Frank Swettenham to prevent the spread of fires.
• The Police Station: To the left is a portion of the High Street Police Station. This site remains a police hub today; the Kuala Lumpur Traffic Police Station still stands on this very stretch of Jalan Tun H.S. Lee.

Evolution of the Street Name

The street has seen three major name changes:

1. High Street: The original colonial name, chosen because it was situated on higher ground to avoid the frequent flooding of the Klang River.
2. Jalan Bandar: Renamed after independence to reflect its role as a "city" street.
3. Jalan Tun H.S. Lee: Renamed in 1988 in honor of Tun Sir Henry Lee Hau Shik, Malaysia’s first Finance Minister and a key figure in the independence movement.

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8 January 2026: 11.05 a.m