The Great Fire of London

On 2–5 September 1666, a fire that began in a Pudding Lane bakery destroyed much of medieval London, including Old St Paul's. Out of the ashes rose the rebuilt city of brick and stone.

The blaze was discovered in Thomas Farriner's bakery at about one in the morning on 2 September. Its exact cause is uncertain. A dry summer, closely packed wooden buildings and a strong wind helped it spread. Warehouses containing combustible goods added to the danger in a city whose streets and buildings offered many opportunities for fire to travel.

Attempts to stop the flames included pulling down buildings and using explosions to create breaks. The fire continued for four days, destroying about 13,200 houses and eighty-seven churches. Old St Paul's Cathedral and the Guildhall were among the major buildings affected. The damage reached far beyond individual homes or businesses, disrupting the civic and religious places around which urban life had been organised.

Around 100,000 people were left homeless. Many took refuge in open spaces outside the burned area, including Moorfields, where makeshift shelters appeared. Rebuilding was a long process rather than an immediate transformation. Much of the new city followed existing foundations and street patterns. The disaster is remembered for the skyline it changed, but the struggle to find shelter was an equally important part of its aftermath.