MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Symbolic fourth bell returns from Wales to Chile's 14th Fire Brigade, 150 years later

Ambassador Jon Benjamin, Chilean authorities and members of the 14th Brigade during the ceremony

In another demonstration of the close links of Chile and Britain, members of the 14th Fire Brigade from the city of Santiago de Chile officially received the fourth bell of the old Compañía de Jesús Church which was completely destroyed by a devastating fire that also killed over 2.500 people in 1863, almost 150 years ago.

The bell is of great symbolism for the 14th Fire Brigade, which is better known in Santiago as the 'Bomba Inglesa' since it's the fourth of three other bells that used to be part of the church's bell tower and a milestone for the fire fighters.

The ceremony was presided by Chilean acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alfonso Silva, members of the 14th Fire Brigade, Mrs. Josefa Errázuriz, Mayor of the Providencia District, and the British Ambassador Jon Benjamin. Secretary Silva represented the Chilean President Sebastián Piñera.

Originally, the Jesuit church had four bells. After the fire occurred, a Welsh merchant bought them as scrap and took them to Wales where they remained for almost 150 years.

Three of these bells were given as a bicentenary gift to Chile in 2010, and the fourth was officially received on 4 November 2013 by the 14th Fire Brigade. This was a commitment made to the Church of Saint Thomas, in South Wales, who agreed to send it back to Chile as a sign of friendship between the two countries.

HRH Prince Edward, an Honorary Member of the 14th Fire Brigade was a key actor in the repatriation of the bell as a retribution to the voluntary work members of the ‘Bomba Inglesa’ and the Chilean Association of Fire Companies do on a daily basis dealing with emergencies.

Ambassador Jon Benjamin said the event was the perfect occasion to launch the British Month in Chile.