The Great Fire of London: 7 interesting facts you might not know The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London occurred from September 2 to September 6, 1666. It started in a bakery on Pudding Lane and rapidly spread across the city, destroying a significant portion of London.

The fire burned for four days, devastating much of the medieval city, including over 13,000 houses, 87 churches, and numerous other buildings.

Despite the widespread destruction, the official death toll was surprisingly low, with only a few recorded fatalities.

As we near the anniversary of this monumental historic event, we have decided to share some interesting facts you might not know about The Great Fire of London.

What caused The Great Fire of London?

The exact cause of the Great Fire of London is not definitively known, but it is widely believed to have been an accident that started in the bakery of Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane.

Several factors contributed to the rapid spread of the fire:

Highly Flammable Materials

London at the time was densely built with wooden houses, many of which had thatched roofs and were coated with pitch, a highly flammable substance. These materials provided ample fuel for the fire.

Narrow Streets and Overhanging Buildings

The medieval layout of London featured narrow streets and buildings that often overhung the streets, allowing the fire to jump easily from one side to the other.

Strong Winds

A strong easterly wind blew on the night the fire started, fanning the flames and spreading the fire rapidly across the city.

Delayed Response

The initial response to the fire was slow. The Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas Bloodworth, was hesitant to authorize the demolition of buildings to create firebreaks, which could have slowed the fire's spread. By the time decisive action was taken, the fire had grown out of control.

The Great Plague

The Great Fire of London is often credited with ending the Great Plague of 1665, as it supposedly helped kill off rats and fleas that carried the plague. However, this is more legend than fact, as the plague was already declining by the time of the fire.

Interesting facts about The Great Fire of London

1. The Mayor of London ignored the King’s orders

King Charles II ordered that firebreaks be made to prevent the fire from spreading.

However, the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas Bloodworth, hesitated, reportedly saying, "Pish! A woman could piss it out," underestimating the severity of the fire.

2. St. Paul's Cathedral Was Destroyed

The medieval St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the most important churches in London, was engulfed by the flames and completely destroyed. It was later rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in its iconic form.

3. The Fire Led to Major Urban Planning Changes

The fire provided an opportunity to redesign London. Sir Christopher Wren proposed grand plans for a new city layout with wide streets and grand buildings, but the need to rebuild quickly and property rights issues meant that most streets were rebuilt along their original medieval lines.

4. The First Fire Insurance Company

The Great Fire led to the creation of the first fire insurance company in England, "The Fire Office," established by Nicholas Barbon in 1681.

5. Monument to the Fire

A monument to the Great Fire, simply called "The Monument," stands near the site where the fire began on Pudding Lane.

It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke and was completed in 1677. At 202 feet tall, it is still one of the tallest isolated stone columns in the world.