Primarily using the Tone Control, S-Curve, White Neutralizer, and Color-Cast settings in the NIK Color Efex Pro4 plug-in for Lightroom.
I have edited the OP to place a copy of the darker photo below the original darker image to show the difference a simple Tone Control adjustment makes. S-Curve and Contrast settings will change things further.
I used Color Cast and White Neutralizer primarily to make an adjustment to the whites and reds of the fire trucks; although they also effected the overall photo, I was going for their effect on the white and red elements on the trucks.
The first photo was pretty much straight out of the camera, with some minor adjustments to white balance, contrast, and cropping.
I have always been very clear that I use post-processing on almost all of my photos to get the effect I want. I know it can be an issue with serious photographers; I am not a photographer but I do enjoy taking photos. And, I am trying, and getting better at, learning the to influence the image in the camera before any processing.
I have recently acquired a 35mm prime lens that is a big step up from the kit lenses that came with my camera, and I'm really liking the difference. 
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