One such example is Japanese Lane, where many citizens of that country were said to have resided before World War II. Then there’s Jalan Tengku Kelana, also known as the royal town’s vibrant Little India, which can be traced back to the times of the Melaka sultanate.

Klang residents might have driven by the Kota Raja Fire and Rescue Station many times, but did you know this quaint red-and-white building – a stone’s throw away from Jalan Tengku Kelana – houses its own gallery? One can find unique items and memorabilia here that shed some light on the history and growth of firefighting in the country.

The building itself is said to have been constructed in 1890. Initially under the purview of the police department, it wasn’t until the 1950s that it became a fire station. And although it has been renovated over the years, its main structures and architectural design have been kept intact.

The gallery opened in 2015, station chief Mohd Hisam Mat Yasih told FMT during a tour recently, adding that the memorabilia was sourced from all over the country. Here are some of the highlights:

Equipment

Ever wondered how locals were warned of a fire in days past? Answer: using a quaint hand-crank siren, which is powered by rotating the handle, and a rustic bell.

The siren has seen better days – though Hisam insists it still works – and you have to marvel at the amount of strength it requires to turn the crank.

Also requiring strength? An axe on display that is believed to have been imported from Bristol in the United Kingdom. In the 1890s, axes were used by firefighters – and they’re not exactly light!

Additionally, the gallery showcases different types of fire extinguishers that have been used over the years. These include a soda-acid extinguisher that was used in the 1950s, and a Halon-gas type that was used in the 1970s.

Vehicles

While firefighters are commonly associated with red trucks, they also use other vehicles such as motorcycles. The gallery has a lovely red motorcycle on display, which, according to Hisam, would have been used for rapid intervention to beat traffic congestion.

There is also a well-maintained old bicycle that was once used to carry equipment to the scene of a fire.

Uniforms

On display are different types of helmets and uniforms donned by firefighters over the years, including one that was worn by the Malaysian fire and rescue department’s brass band in the 1990s.

There are even instruments such as a saxophone, trombone, and tubas on display – testifying to the fact that firefighters don’t just help people in distress, they can make music, too.

Office items

A highlight of the gallery is a safe box from the 1920s that was used to store confidential documents. An air of mystery that surrounds this box as its key is said to have gone missing, leaving many to wonder: what secrets does it contain?

Also on display are several books that were used for documentation in the station from 1964 to 1967. “They include handwritten reports of fire incidents, details such as the location of the fire and number of firefighters deployed from the station,” Hisam shared.

There is even a typewriter that was used in the station in the 1890s and believed to have been purchased from Montreal, Canada – certainly a nostalgic sight in this age of smartphones and laptops!

“All these are history,” Hisam said proudly, “and for me, history is important so we can see how the firefighting organisation has developed over time.”

Admission to the gallery is free. For groups of 10 pax and above, kindly send a letter to Mohd Hisam Mat Yasih at the below address before visiting:

Kota Raja Fire and Rescue Station
Jalan Gedung Raja Abdullah,
Kawasan 1,
41000 Klang, Selangor

Contact: 03-3371 4444

Gallery opening hours: 8am-5pm daily