A mainstay along Boon Lay Drive since 1976, the seven-story hose tower of the former Jurong Fire Station will not be demolished to make way for future residential developments. Instead, the tower will actually be a part of the upcoming Boon Lay Glade HDB estate — a whole area that’ll incorporate motifs and designs of the old fire station.
Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee was happy to report that the estate will pay tribute to the old Jurong Fire Training School — housed within Jurong Fire Station — for men in the Singapore Fire Brigade, the predecessor of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Jurong Fire Station has since been relocated to Jurong West Street 26 in 2017, while its old premises along Boon Lay Drive has been demolished.
The hose tower, however, remains standing. The tower was used back in the old days to dry hoses, which used to be made of canvas. With hoses now made of more durable, low-maintenance material, the tower was used for physical training, where firefighters would be tasked to run up and down the building.
According to Minister Lee, the tower will have other uses now. It will soon house a heritage gallery commemorating the history of the old Jurong Fire Station as well as a climbing facility. HDB blocks nearby will sport the distinctive tile motif of the tower, while a playground will have a fire station theme.
“For more than 40 years, the Jurong Fire Station’s hose tower was a big part of the lives of firefighters who were trained and served at the fire station,” wrote SCDF on Facebook.
“We are proud to know that this iconic landmark will continue to play an important part in the upcoming development of Boon Lay Glade HDB estate.”
Reader Interactions