A group of Dunedin enthusiasts have an old flame in common.
The object of their affection is a 1954 Dennis F12 fire engine, better known as Number 24.
''She's had a hard life, but she's a lovely old thing,'' Gary Byford (59), of the Dunedin Fire Restoration Club, said. Club members this week started a two-year restoration project on the lady in red.
The restorers come from varied backgrounds, from butchers and joiners to former firefighters, but are united by their love of fire appliances.
Mervyn Milne (74) joined the Dunedin Fire Brigade in 1956, following in the footsteps of his father, Jim Milne, who was the fourth officer in the Metropolitan brigade.
''I used to work with him in the motorshop on the north side of Castle St,'' he recalled.
''Number 24 was used in the Arthur Barnett's fire on December 9, in 1959. I got there at half past 10. We also went to the Wingatui grandstand fire in Number 24, in 1977. It would have gone to all the big fires, like Whitcombe and Tombs and Coulls and Somerville, in Crawford St.''
Ross Walker (66) spent 42 years as a Dunedin fireman, from 1970 to 2011, including 25 as a ladderman.
''I looked after all the ladders in Otago and Southland. They were made from Canadian oregon. But they'd get worn, burnt, broken and dropped.''
His son, Glen (40), who works on Niwa research ship Tangaroa, has inherited his father's love of fire engines.
''I don't know what it is. I guess I've just always been around them, through Dad,'' he said.
Number 24 was ordered by Superintendent Laidlaw from Dennis Brothers in England in April 1952, for 5288 and arrived in Port Chalmers nearly two years later, in February 1954.
However, two months after arrival, it ran over a dog on the way to a fire, damaging the radiator, which caused the engine to overheat and led to considerable damage.
Dunedin Fire Restoration Club president club president Trevor Tilyard said about a dozen enthusiasts met twice twice a month to work on various club projects.
''We're always looking for new members, so anyone interested is welcome to pop along.''
