Keith Burton's photos with the keyword: fire insurance

Nothing special, but I spotted this on the side of a house in Langstone Village. I believe it is a "Fire Mark" dating from the 18th Century, denoting that the house was insured by the Sun Insurance Company. The number on the plaque would have been the policy number. In those days, fire brigade were run and owned by the insurance companies and only fought fires on buildings that were insured by them - the sign showed this. Presumably if there was no plaque, or one belonging to another company, they would just leave it to burn!! No idea if it is genuine or repro.