Great Fire of London

Great Fire London

Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of the City of London from Sunday, 2 September, to Thursday, 6 September 1666. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman city wall. It threatened but did not reach the City of Westminster, Charles II's Palace of Whitehall, or most of the suburban slums. It destroyed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St Paul's Cathedral, and most of the buildings of the City authorities. It is estimated to have destroyed the homes of 70,000 of the City's 80,000 inhabitants.

Origins and Spread

The fire began in a bakery on Pudding Lane shortly after midnight on Sunday, 2 September, and spread rapidly west across the City of London. The use of the major firefighting technique of the time, creating firebreaks by means of demolition, was delayed due to the indecisiveness of the Lord Mayor, Sir Thomas Bloodworth. By the time large-scale demolitions were ordered on Sunday night, the wind had already fanned the bakery fire into a firestorm which overrode such measures. The fire pushed north on Monday into the heart of the city.

Impact

Economic impacts were immense, making the disaster one of the worst in the history of England. The fire significantly altered the skyline of London, leading to the eventual rebuilding of the city by Christopher Wren and others. Despite the destruction, the Great Fire of London provided an opportunity for the city to modernize and rebuild in a more structured manner. The Rebuilding Act of 1667 imposed regulations on the types of buildings that could be constructed, leading to the replacement of wooden buildings with those made of brick and stone.

Aftermath and Rebuilding

In the aftermath, Charles II appointed commissioners to redesign the city. The plans by Christopher Wren, John Evelyn, and others proposed more regular streets and new regulations to make buildings safer and the city more beautiful. Although these grand plans were mostly not implemented due to property rights and the need for a rapid rebuilding, they did influence the new cityscape. The Monument to the Great Fire of London, designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, was erected near the origin of the fire as a memorial.

Legacy

The Great Fire of London is remembered as a pivotal event in the city's history. Annually, the tragedy is commemorated through various events and exhibitions. The fire has been the subject of numerous books, plays, and artworks, reflecting its significant impact on London and its development. It also led to major changes in the laws and regulations related to urban planning and fire safety, many of which have influenced modern building practices.