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The beginning of the fire
The fire started at Thomas Farriner's bakery in Padding Lane, shortly after midnight on Sunday, September 2. The fire began to spread rapidly in the City in a westerly direction. Firefighters of the time, as a rule, used the method of destroying buildings around a fire so that the fire did not spread. This was not done only because the Lord Mayor, Mr. Thomas Bloodworth, was not sure of the appropriateness of these measures. By the time he ordered the buildings destroyed, it was too late. -
spreading fire north and west
On Monday, September 3, the fire spread to the north and west, destroying the Cathedral of St. Paul, as well as further south than the day before. The spread to the south stopped on the river bank, but the houses near the London Bridge were burned. The flames threatened to cross the bridge and endanger the Southwark boro on the south bank of the river. -
most destructive day
Tuesday was the day of greatest destruction [38]. The command post of Jacob, Duke of York at Temple Bar, at the intersection of the Strand and Fleet Street, was to cease fire in a westerly direction in front of Whitehall Palace. Creating a barrage with firefighters from the Fleet Bridge and down the Thames, Jacob hoped that the Fleet would become a natural fire line. However, early Tuesday morning a strong east wind carried the flame across the river, and they had to leave their posts. -
end of fire
The wind weakened on Tuesday evening and the firebreaks created finally gave effect on Wednesday, September 5th. There were still hotbeds of fire, but in general the great fire was already over.
