In the early hours of September 2, 1666, a small spark inside a bakery on Pudding Lane erupted into one of the most devastating disasters in London's history. The Great Fire of London raged for four days, consuming over 13,000 houses, 87 churches, and the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral. But this catastrophe was more than just a tragedy-it was a turning point that reshaped the city, its architecture, and its people forever.
In this riveting historical account, The Great Fire of London takes you through the heart of the blazing inferno, from the chaotic moments of its outbreak to the heroic efforts to control the flames. With vivid storytelling and detailed research, this book contents:
Chapter 1: The City Before the FireLondon in the 17th century: A bustling city of wood and narrow streetsThe aftermath of the plague (1665)Living conditions, architecture, and fire hazardsChapter 2: The Spark That Ignited the BlazeThe events of September 2, 1666The bakery on Pudding Lane: How it startedWhy the fire spread so quicklyChapter 3: London in FlamesThe rapid spread of fire through the cityEyewitness accounts of the destructionThe role of strong winds in worsening the disasterChapter 4: Fighting the InfernoFirefighting methods in the 17th centuryThe struggles of the Lord Mayor and citizensThe use of fire hooks, gunpowder, and demolitionsChapter 5: The Aftermath of the FireThe destruction: Over 13,000 houses, 87 churches, and St. Paul's CathedralThe impact on the economy and daily lifeHow the fire endedChapter 6: Theories and ControversiesWho was to blame? (French and Dutch scapegoats, Robert Hubert's confession)Was it accidental or deliberate?The political and social reactionsChapter 7: Rebuilding LondonChristopher Wren's role in designing the new cityThe changes in urban planning and fire preventionThe legacy of the Great FireRelated Subjects
History