Fire mark

Fire marks were placed on the outside of buildings to indicate that the property was insured by a specific company. This identification was particularly important in London before the introduction of street numbering in the 1760s. Householders with fire insurance could expect the company to send its 'fire brigade' to put out the fire. Insurance companies often had reciprocal arrangements with each other so that if a fire brigade put out a fire at a house insured by a different company then the brigade's company would be reimbursed. In 1826 an agreement was reached between the Sun Fire office, the Royal Exchange Assurance and the Phoenix Fire Office to combine their brigades under the leadership of one superintendent. This provided the basis for the creation of the London Fire Engine Establishment in 1833.

This fire mark was issued by the Westminster Insurance Office, also known as the Westminster Fire Office. Founded in 1717 following a split from the Hand in Hand Fire Office, the Westminster Fire Office originally operated from Tom's Coffee House on St Martin's Lane. After a period of expansion, the Westminster Fire Office insurance coverage extended nationwide in 1805. Later in 1820, the company undertook household contents insurance. Westminster fire marks were cast in a mould costing £2 9s 6d from a design by Roger Askew, one of the directors. The company's emblem is the portcullis taken from the arms of Westminster. The mark also features the arms of the Prince of Wales and the policy number impressed on the panel at the bottom.