Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was a catastrophic fire that swept through the central parts of London from Sunday, September…

By Staff , in Historical Events in the United Kingdom , at September 2, 2024 Tags: 1666, fires, london, united kingdom

Find Cheap Textbooks - Save on New & Used Textbooks at AbeBooks.com

The Great Fire of London was a catastrophic fire that swept through the central parts of London from Sunday, September 2, to Wednesday, September 6, 1666. The fire destroyed a significant portion of the city, including thousands of homes, businesses, and important buildings, but remarkably resulted in relatively few deaths. The event had a profound impact on the city’s architecture, urban planning, and fire prevention strategies.

Background and Context
London in the 17th Century:
Urban Conditions: In the mid-17th century, London was a bustling city with a population of around 500,000 people, making it one of the largest cities in Europe. The city was densely populated, with narrow streets and closely packed wooden buildings, many of which were several stories high. These conditions made the city highly vulnerable to fire.

Construction and Materials: Most of the buildings in London at the time were constructed of timber, with thatched roofs or roofs covered in pitch, both highly flammable materials. Many houses also had jetties, upper floors that projected over the street, which allowed fires to spread easily from one building to another. Additionally, the use of open flames for cooking, heating, and lighting increased the risk of fire.

Recent History of Fires: London had experienced several smaller fires in the years leading up to 1666, which had caused significant damage and loss of life. However, none of these fires matched the scale and destruction of the Great Fire.

Preceding Events
The Plague: The Great Fire occurred just a year after the Great Plague of 1665, which had killed a large portion of the city’s population. The city was still recovering from this devastating epidemic when the fire broke out.

The Fire
Outbreak and Spread:
Start of the Fire: The Great Fire of London began in the early hours of Sunday, September 2, 1666, in the bakery of Thomas Farriner (or Farynor) on Pudding Lane, near London Bridge. Farriner was the king’s baker, and it is believed that the fire started when embers from his oven ignited nearby materials.

Initial Response: Initially, the fire did not cause immediate alarm, as fires were relatively common in London. However, strong easterly winds quickly fanned the flames, causing the fire to spread rapidly through the wooden houses and narrow streets. Efforts to extinguish the fire were hampered by the prevailing winds and the failure to create firebreaks by pulling down houses, a measure that was delayed due to indecision among city officials.

Monday, September 3: By Monday, the fire had spread across much of the city. The fire consumed several landmarks, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was a medieval structure at the time, and many other churches, public buildings, and homes. The heat of the fire was so intense that it melted the lead roof of St. Paul’s, and the molten metal flowed down the streets.

Efforts to Control the Fire: King Charles II and his brother, the Duke of York (later James II), took charge of the firefighting efforts, organizing teams of soldiers and volunteers to create firebreaks by demolishing buildings. However, the fire continued to spread uncontrollably.

Wednesday, September 5: By Wednesday, the winds had died down, and the fire began to lose intensity. Firebreaks created by demolition finally proved effective in halting the fire’s advance. By the evening of September 5, the fire was largely under control, although smaller fires continued to burn in the city for several days.

Destruction and Impact
Scale of Destruction: The Great Fire destroyed approximately 87 churches, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, around 13,200 houses, 44 company halls, the Royal Exchange, the Custom House, and numerous other buildings. It is estimated that the fire consumed about 80% of the city of London within the old Roman walls, covering an area of 436 acres.

Loss of Life: Despite the vast destruction, the recorded death toll from the Great Fire was remarkably low, with only a few deaths officially documented. However, it is possible that the true number of casualties was higher, especially among the poor, whose deaths may not have been recorded.

Economic and Social Impact: The fire had a devastating impact on London’s economy, with many businesses, homes, and livelihoods destroyed. Thousands of people were left homeless and destitute, and the cost of rebuilding the city was enormous. The fire also exacerbated social tensions, with rumors circulating that the fire had been started deliberately by foreigners, particularly Catholics, leading to outbreaks of violence and persecution against these communities.

Aftermath and Rebuilding
Rebuilding London:
Reconstruction Plans: In the immediate aftermath of the fire, there were ambitious proposals to rebuild London with wider streets, open squares, and more substantial buildings made of brick and stone. Architects such as Sir Christopher Wren, John Evelyn, and Robert Hooke submitted plans for a grander, more organized city. However, these plans were largely impractical due to the need to rebuild quickly and the existing property rights of landowners.

Act for Rebuilding London (1667): The government passed the Act for Rebuilding London in 1667, which established building regulations that mandated the use of fire-resistant materials, such as brick and stone, and set standards for street widths and building heights. The rebuilding process was slow and costly, but it eventually transformed London into a city with more durable and fire-resistant architecture.

St. Paul’s Cathedral: One of the most significant rebuilding projects was the construction of the new St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The new cathedral, completed in 1710, became an iconic symbol of London’s recovery and resilience.

Fire Prevention and Safety Measures
Improved Firefighting: In the wake of the Great Fire, there were significant improvements in firefighting techniques and equipment. The first fire insurance companies were established, which led to the creation of private fire brigades. These companies played a crucial role in fighting fires in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Legacy of the Fire: The Great Fire of London highlighted the dangers of densely packed, wooden buildings and inadequate fire prevention measures. The lessons learned from the fire led to stricter building codes, the development of organized firefighting services, and a greater awareness of urban planning and public safety.