There are references in the minute books of Drogheda Corporation dating as far back as 1802 to the provision of fire engines and pipes. These were to be kept at the Watch House at Peter St, Drogheda and presumably rolled to the scene of a fire. All through the 19th century there were references to improvements being effected and a keen interest being taken in the Fire Service as it was but in 1900 the Corporation adopted a Fire Brigade Committee report recommending that all appliances be transferred to the Waterworks Department. In 1915 it was suggested that the Fire Brigade would obtain dwellings at Potato Market for members of the Fire Brigade.

1936 was a real milestone in the development of the Fire Service in Drogheda. In that year on the 7th January 1936 at 02:30hrs there occured a major fire which destroyed a substantial part of the Shop Street, since referred to as "Connolly's Fire". In all properties 15,16,17,18,19 and 20 were destroyed. The Dundalk Fire Brigade attended but the absence of proper equipment by Drogheda Fire Brigade resulted in their purchasing a Merryweather Fire Engine at a cost of £1,375. The Connolly fire also resulted in a new Fire Station and seven houses being built at Scarlet Street.