In the early hours of Sunday, 2 September 1666, a small fire broke out in a baker’s shop on Pudding Lane. Within four days, it had consumed most of the City of London, destroying thousands of homes and iconic landmarks. While the official death toll records only six to eight people, many historians believe the true number was far higher. This article examines the causes, timeline, human cost, and lasting legacy of the Great Fire of London.
The fire remains one of the most significant events in British history, marking a turning point in urban planning and building safety. It reshaped the capital’s landscape and led to the creation of the modern city that stands today.
How did the Great Fire of London start?
The fire started in the bakery of Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane. A combination of dry conditions, strong winds, and flammable materials allowed the flames to spread rapidly.
Key insights about the cause and spread
- The summer of 1666 had been long and dry, leaving buildings and timber extremely dry and easy to ignite.
- A strong east wind helped the flames spread quickly from street to street.
- London had no organised fire brigade in 1666, so there was no coordinated response to the initial outbreak.
- When the fire reached the River Thames, it ignited warehouses full of flammable goods such as oil and tallow.
- The Lord Mayor, Sir Thomas Bloodworth, initially underestimated the fire and did not order the demolition of buildings to create firebreaks.
- King Charles II and his brother James, Duke of York, eventually helped organise firefighting efforts.
- The fire was finally brought under control on 5 September when the Navy used gunpowder to blow up buildings in the path of the flames.
Snapshot facts: The Great Fire at a glance
| Fact |
|---|
| Started at Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane. |
| Burned for 4 days (Sunday to Wednesday). |
| Destroyed about 13,200 houses, 87 churches, and St Paul’s Cathedral. |
| Only 6 official deaths recorded, but many undocumented deaths likely. |
| King Charles II and his brother James, Duke of York, helped organize firefighting. |
| The fire was finally stopped by blowing up buildings in the path of the flames. |
The fire’s rapid spread was driven by a perfect storm of factors: dry wood, closely packed buildings, a lack of firefighting capability, and a strong UK Weather Warning Strong Winds that carried embers across the city.
How many people died in the Great Fire of London?
The commonly recorded death toll is six to eight people. However, many historians argue that this number is misleading. The intense heat of the fire may have completely destroyed bodies, making them impossible to count. Poor and undocumented residents, including migrants and the elderly, may not have been recorded in official records at all.
The widely accepted death toll is 6–8 people, based on contemporary accounts and official records from 1666. This figure is cited by sources including the London Fire Brigade and Wikipedia.
Some historians suggest the real number may have been much higher, possibly in the hundreds. The uncertainty arises because most of the dead were likely poor Londoners whose deaths were not officially registered, and because the fire’s heat could have cremated bodies entirely.
When did the Great Fire of London start and end?
The fire began on Sunday, 2 September 1666, and was largely extinguished by Wednesday, 5 September 1666. It burned for four days in total.
Timeline of events
- Sunday 2 Sept 1666, 1am: Fire starts in bakery on Pudding Lane.
- Sunday 2 Sept, morning: Lord Mayor Sir Thomas Bloodworth underestimates the fire.
- Monday 3 Sept: Fire spreads rapidly east and west; St Paul’s Cathedral is threatened.
- Tuesday 4 Sept: Fire reaches St Paul’s; the building collapses. The King orders firebreaks to be created by blowing up buildings.
- Wednesday 5 Sept: Fire is finally extinguished due to firebreaks and the wind dying down.
- Aftermath: Rebuilding plans by Christopher Wren and others begin; the Monument to the Great Fire is later constructed.
How did London rebuild after the Great Fire?
The destruction was so vast that London had to be almost completely reconstructed. The Rebuilding of London Act 1666 banned the use of wood on the exterior of buildings, regulated building materials and wages, and set a deadline for rebuilding. A special Fire Court was established to resolve property disputes quickly so that construction would not be delayed.
The Great Fire is often linked with the Great Plague of 1665, and some believe the fire ended the outbreak. This is a myth. While the fire did burn many rats and fleas, there is no direct evidence that it was the sole cause of the plague’s end.
Most private rebuilding was complete by 1671. New public buildings included St Paul’s Cathedral and 51 new churches designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The rebuild pushed London toward brick and stone construction, making the city safer and more resilient to fire.
For teachers and parents looking to explain this period to younger children, resources at the Oxford Reading Tree Levels offer age-appropriate ways to explore the story of the fire and its aftermath.
Key vocabulary for young learners includes: fire, baker, wind, river, smoke, church, house, rebuild. A simple timeline for children: 2 Sept – fire starts; 3–4 Sept – fire spreads; 5 Sept – fire is controlled; Afterwards – London is rebuilt. Useful classroom activities include comparing old London and new London, focusing on how rebuilding made the city safer using brick and stone.
What is certain and what remains unclear about the Great Fire of London?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Fire started at a bakery on Pudding Lane on 2 September 1666. | Exact number of deaths is unknown; only six were officially recorded, but likely hundreds perished, especially the poor and elderly. |
| The fire burned for four days. | Whether the fire was deliberately started or a complete accident remains debated, though accident is most accepted. |
| It destroyed a large portion of the City of London. | The role of the Plague in the death toll – fire may have reduced plague, but evidence is indirect. |
| Thomas Farriner’s bakery was the origin. | The exact cause of the rapid spread – a combination of wooden buildings, wind, and lack of firefighting capability, but some theories suggest arson. |
What is the broader historical context of the Great Fire of London?
The Great Fire occurred during a period of political tension after the Restoration of Charles II and followed the Great Plague of 1665, which had already killed tens of thousands of Londoners. Contemporary accounts by Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn provide primary source evidence of the disaster. The fire was a turning point for urban planning: laws mandated brick and stone buildings, wider streets, and fire insurance. Debates about class emerged, as the wealthy could rebuild with insurance while the poor suffered more lasting displacement.
Where can I find primary sources and quotes about the Great Fire?
“We saw the fire as only one entire arch of fire from this to the other side of the bridge… it made me weep to see it.”
Samuel Pepys’ diary
“The fire was a calamity that changed people’s lives irrevocably.”
The National Archives
“The fire started on Sunday, 2nd September 1666. It was a hot, dry and windy evening; the perfect conditions for the rapid spread of fire.”
The Monument website
What is the legacy of the Great Fire of London today?
The Great Fire fundamentally reshaped London. It led to the creation of modern building regulations, the development of fire insurance, and the construction of many of the city’s most famous landmarks, including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Monument to the Great Fire, which stands 202 feet tall — exactly 202 feet from the bakery where the fire started. The event continues to be studied in schools and is a popular subject for historical research and children’s education.
Frequently asked questions about the Great Fire of London
What is the Great Fire of London book?
There are many children’s books, such as ‘The Great Fire of London’ by Emma Adams and ‘Vlad and the Great Fire of London’.
Is there a Great Fire of London game?
Yes, several educational games exist, including the BBC’s interactive game ‘The Great Fire of London’ for kids.
Who was blamed for the Great Fire of London?
A French watchmaker named Robert Hubert was wrongly executed for starting the fire. He confessed under pressure but was likely innocent.
How many people were left homeless?
Approximately 70,000 of London’s 80,000 inhabitants were left homeless.
Did the Great Fire of London stop the Plague?
Probably yes, because the fire destroyed the plague-ridden rats and fleas, but a direct causal link is hard to prove.
What is the Monument to the Great Fire of London?
A 202-foot tall column near London Bridge designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, commemorating the fire.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.