In 1666, the Great Fire of London began destroyed more than 13,000 homes and hundreds of additional structures, including St. Paul’s Cathedral, over the three days. The Great Fire of London began on September 2, 1666, becoming one of the most devastating disasters in the city’s history. The blaze started in a bakery on Pudding Lane and rapidly spread through crowded streets. London was especially vulnerable because many buildings were constructed from timber and stood extremely close together. Dry conditions and strong winds helped the flames move rapidly from one building to another.
The fire continued for several days, ultimately destroying about 13,200 houses and 87 parish churches. Around four-fifths of the City of London was affected by the catastrophe. Among the most famous buildings lost was the medieval St. Paul’s Cathedral. The Royal Exchange and Guildhall were also badly damaged or destroyed, demonstrating the enormous scale of the disaster.
