The Great Fire of London 1666

The Great Fire of London, which raged from 2 to 5 September 1666, destroyed much of the medieval City of London. It was one of the most transformative events in London's history, leading to a fundamental redesign of the city. This lesson covers the causes, events, impact, and aftermath of the fire.

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Causes of the Fire

The Great Fire started in the early hours of Sunday 2 September 1666 at the bakery of Thomas Farriner (sometimes spelled Farynor) on Pudding Lane, near London Bridge.

Several factors made London extremely vulnerable to fire:

Factor	Explanation
Timber-framed buildings	Most houses in the City were built of wood, with upper storeys jutting out over narrow streets
Narrow streets	Buildings were close together, making it easy for fire to jump from house to house
Dry conditions	The summer of 1666 had been exceptionally hot and dry
Strong east wind	A powerful wind fanned the flames westward through the city
Flammable materials	Warehouses near the river stored oil, tallow, spirits, and other combustible goods