Having watched Mitcham fire station being built over the last year and a half I was almost as excited as the fire fighters moving in to have a look around the new facility this morning, writes Wimbledon Guardian chief reporter, Becky Middleton.

The trusty fireman’s pole - still the fastest way to get from the rest area to the engines - is in one corner and boots and hats lay in position waiting for that all important alarm bell to sound.

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Station manager Jeff Lisle

Up to 56 fire fighters, including three women, on four different watches are based there working on a shift pattern.

Feb 26: New Mitcham fire station open for business after months of delays

The finishing touches are still being made to the multi-million pound station, including clearing away piles of cardboard boxes used to transport equipment from around the old station around the corner and plastic boxes which are sat waiting to be unpacked.

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The back of the new station, complete with tower to practice rescues

Adorning the white-washed walls are photos and certificates to celebrate fire fighters’ successes.

There is a framed certificate from the RSPCA praising crews who rescued a horse from a stream in London Road, Mitcham in 2002, and signs honouring individual officers and even some black and white photographs of days gone by.

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Mitcham fire fighters circa 1887 with a fire engine named after a local resident Caesar Czarinkow who presented it to the village

In one poignant image fire fighters from the former Mitcham station pose in 1939 -  - a reminder of how long crews had been based in the station - more than 100 years in total.

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Mitcham fire fighters, picture estimated to have been taken in the 1940s. 

Station manager Jeff Lisle said he was not sad to leave the former station because it was old and not fit for purpose.

He said it had become rat-infested and the new eco-friendly station is much bigger and better.

The crews only moved in last Monday and Mitcham fire fighters are sharing it with those from Purley for the next 12 months while their station is re-developed.

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Mr Lisle said: "Everyone was pleased to leave.

"We had been waiting for the dates to be confirmed.

"It’s had its time.

"It was old, run down and we had rats."

There were no rodents in sight in the new building today, just shiny new facilities, space to house two fire engines (where previously one engine had to be kept outside) and a concreted outdoor area complete with a deep lift pit, road traffic collision practice area and a tower to practice ladder rescues from upper floors.

There was no space at the Lower Green West site for outdoor training.

Fire fighters no longer have to travel to Sutton for training; there is an indoor training room and room for the community to use for free, as well as a fully functional gym, kitchen and sleeping areas for those on late shifts.

It was interesting to see behind-the-scenes, to hear the alarm bells go off and know the fire fighters only have 60 seconds to stop what they are doing, get dressed and out the door or some serious questions have to be asked of the boss.

The new station is in a much more accessible area which is on a busy junction of London Road, presumably making it easier to get out quickly.

There will be an official opening ceremony in the next few months.