The Great Fire of London Begins
In the early hours of September 2, 1666, Londoners were awoken by a fire that would become one of the most devastating in the city’s history. In the early hours of the morning, a small bakery on Pudding Lane, owned by Thomas Farriner, caught fire. What began as a simple spark soon turned into an unstoppable blaze that would consume much of London over the next few days.
The fire spread rapidly, fueled by the dry summer and strong winds. London at the time was a maze of narrow streets lined with wooden houses, perfect conditions for the fire to grow. As the flames leaped from building to building, panic set in. People grabbed what they could carry and fled, but many were left with nothing as their homes were swallowed by the inferno. By the time the fire was finally brought under control, 80 percent of the city had been destroyed. Among the ruins were 87 churches, including the iconic St. Paul’s Cathedral, and over 13,000 homes, leaving tens of thousands of Londoners homeless.
The aftermath of the Great Fire was devastating. The city’s economy took a heavy hit, and the social impact was equally severe, with many people left destitute. However, the disaster also brought about significant changes. In the years that followed, London was rebuilt with a new focus on fire safety. Sir Christopher Wren, one of the most famous architects of the time, led the effort to redesign the city, creating wider streets and more open spaces. He also designed the new St. Paul’s Cathedral, which stands as a symbol of London’s resilience.
More from us: London Museum Finally Honors Last Wishes of the ‘Irish Giant’
Would you like to see more daily historical content from The Vintage News? What if we sent it directly to your inbox every day? Sign up here to receive our daily Today in History posts.
The Great Fire of London changed the city forever. It led to the introduction of building regulations that required houses to be made of brick and stone instead of wood, and it also gave rise to modern fire insurance. Though the fire was a tragedy, it ultimately made London a stronger, more organized city.