The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was a huge fire that burned for four days in September 1666.

When Did It Happen?

• Date: Sunday 2nd September 1666
• Lasted: 4 days
• Where: Started in Pudding Lane, central London

How Did It Start?

The fire started in a bakery on Pudding Lane. Thomas Farriner was the king's baker. A spark from his oven set fire to the wooden building. The fire spread quickly because houses were made of wood and very close together, the streets were narrow, it had been a long dry summer, and there was a strong wind.

The Aftermath

• About 13,200 houses were destroyed
• Around 70,000 people were made homeless
• St Paul's Cathedral was destroyed
• Amazingly, only 6 people officially died

How London Changed

After the fire, London was rebuilt with brick and stone houses, wider streets, and fire brigades were established.

Key People

• Thomas Farriner — the baker
• Samuel Pepys — wrote a famous diary about the fire