London's Great Fire

Disaster: One of the World's biggest cities is nearly destroyed by fire.

Date: Sept. 2 - 6, 1666
Deaths: 16
Damage: More than four-fifths of the city burned down.

Interesting Fact: The fire could be seen 30 miles away.

Lesson Learned: Don't have narrow streets or alleyways and construct buildings of brick or stone (not timber.)

   On the evening of September 1, King Charles II's baker, Thomas Farrior, did not distinguish his oven correctly. Around midnight (claims History) a spark landed some wood outside the oven catching fire. The fire quickly grew in size, but Farrior, his family and a servant escaped. Sadly, the baker assistant did not make it out.

   From the baker shop "on Pudding Lane near the London bridge" the fire spread from house to house which many of them were close together and made of timber. Citizens tried to put out the fire with water buckets and taring down buildings, but the fire keep raging on. Finally, the people gave up and ran to their homes to evacuated their family and processions.

   In all, only 16 people "were known to have died" despite the fact that the streets were crowded and narrow (History). History.com estimates that 13,000 houses burned down along with 90 churches.

Not long after the disaster, King Charles II ordered for the rebuilding of the city. A famous architect by the name of Sir Christopher Wren was hired by the King for the new layout of the city. In the design, streets would be wider, houses farther apart, narrow allies "forbidden" and many buildings made of brick or stone.

Firefighters were not a big part of society at this time. In fact, fire departments would not be established until the 18th century (History). Until then people resorted to buckets of water.


Photo from: http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/TheGreatFireOfLondon.asp

Info from: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/great-fire-of-london-begins