Fire Rains on London: City Reborn in Ash
The Great Fire of London broke out in Thomas Farriner's bakery on Pudding Lane at around 1:00 a.m. on September 2, 1666, and burned for four days. Strong easterly winds drove the flames through the medieval city's timber-framed buildings, which were packed so tightly together that fire could jump from roof to roof. St. Paul's Cathedral, thirteen thousand houses, and 87 churches were destroyed. Remarkably, only six confirmed deaths were recorded, though the actual toll was certainly higher. King Charles II personally directed firefighting efforts, including the creation of firebreaks by demolishing buildings. The reconstruction, supervised by Christopher Wren, replaced medieval London with wider streets and stone buildings, creating the city's modern layout.
September 2, 1666
360 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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