American History Tellers
History Daily: The Great Fire of London Begins
Sep 2, 2024
The Great Fire of London ignited on September 2nd, 1666, starting in a bakery and spreading rapidly, engulfing a third of the city. Chaos ensued as baker Thomas Fariner fought to save his family while Samuel Pepys rushed to alert the king. King Charles II took charge, leading firefighting efforts amidst the devastation. The fire destroyed iconic landmarks and prompted heroic acts, followed by a significant challenge: rebuilding the city, which ultimately led to advancements in urban design, including the creation of the famous St. Paul's Cathedral.
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Quick takeaways
- The Great Fire of London began on September 2, 1666, in a bakery, rapidly destroying a third of the city due to dry conditions.
- Samuel Peeps played a crucial role in the initial response, but the Lord Mayor's refusal of help hindered effective firefighting efforts.
Deep dives
The Start of the Great Fire
On September 2, 1666, the Great Fire of London ignited in a bakery on Pudding Lane, leading to catastrophic destruction. The baker, Thomas Fariner, struggled to extinguish the flames that engulfed his establishment and ultimately had to abandon his maidservant as he escaped with his children. The fire rapidly spread across the city due to the densely packed timber-framed buildings and an unusually hot summer, which had left the area parched. Within days, a third of London was reduced to ashes, displacing over 100,000 residents and marking the beginning of a monumental disaster in the city’s history.
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