Great Fire of London – Causes Death Toll Facts and Timeline

In the early hours of Sunday 2 September 1666, a small fire broke out in a baker’s shop on Pudding Lane in the City of London. Within days, it had consumed most of the medieval capital, leaving tens of thousands homeless and reshaping the city’s future. The Great Fire of London remains one of the most studied and taught events in English history, and its story continues to fascinate children and adults alike.

The fire was not the result of arson or foreign attack. Most evidence points to an accident involving an oven in the bakery of Thomas Farriner, the king’s baker. What started as a single spark in a cramped wooden street turned into a catastrophe that would alter the course of London’s development.

Understanding what happened, why it spread so quickly, and how the city responded helps explain not only a pivotal moment in the past but also the origins of modern urban fire safety.

What Caused the Great Fire of London?

The fire began in the bakery of Thomas Farriner on Pudding Lane. It is widely accepted that the blaze was accidental, likely caused by an oven that had not been properly extinguished. The flames spread with terrifying speed due to a combination of factors that made the city particularly vulnerable.

• Only 6 deaths were officially recorded, but thousands were left homeless
• 87 parish churches and St Paul’s Cathedral were destroyed
• The fire created the opportunity for London to be rebuilt with brick and stone
• Wooden buildings built close together allowed the fire to jump from house to house
• A long, dry summer had left timber roofs and streets tinder-dry
• Warehouses near the river stored flammable goods such as oil, rope, and tallow
• Strong easterly winds drove the flames westward across the city

How Many People Died in the Great Fire of London?

The officially recorded death toll from the Great Fire of London is only six people. That number comes from contemporary records and has been repeated in historical accounts ever since.

Why the true number remains uncertain

Historians have long questioned whether six deaths is accurate. The fire destroyed entire neighbourhoods where poorer families lived, and their deaths may never have been recorded. Many victims may have died from burns or smoke inhalation without any formal record being made. The sheer scale of destruction — covering 373 acres — makes it unlikely that a complete count was ever possible.

What was destroyed

Beyond the human cost, the material destruction was staggering. Around 13,200 houses, 87 churches, and major public buildings including St Paul’s Cathedral and the Royal Exchange were lost. Approximately 70,000 people were left homeless — roughly one-sixth of London’s population at the time.

What Was the Impact of the Great Fire of London?

The fire reshaped London physically, socially, and legally. In the immediate aftermath, thousands of families camped in fields outside the city walls with no shelter and little food. King Charles II ordered the army to help and organised emergency supplies.

The rebuilding of London

Within weeks, several plans for rebuilding the city were presented, including one by Sir Christopher Wren. The king approved a simpler version that widened streets, required buildings to be made of brick and stone, and banned overhanging wooden facades. These changes directly addressed the conditions that had allowed the fire to spread so quickly.

Long-term changes

The disaster also led to the foundations of organised firefighting in London. Insurance companies began forming their own fire brigades, and later the London Fire Brigade was established. The Monument to the Great Fire of London, built near Pudding Lane, remains a landmark and a reminder of the event.

For more detail on how the city evolved after 1666, see How the Great Fire changed London forever.

Great Fire of London Facts for Kids and Teachers

The Great Fire is a core topic in the Year 2 (Key Stage 1) curriculum in England. Children learn about the fire through simple cause-and-effect, timelines, and comparisons between old and modern London.

Key learning points for Year 2

Teachers typically focus on a handful of clear facts: London in 1666 was built mostly of wood; the fire started in a bakery; houses were built close together, which helped the fire spread; people used water, buckets, hooks, and gunpowder to try to stop it; and the city was rebuilt in a safer way.

Classroom resources and activities

Reputable educational materials are available from several sources. The BBC Bitesize – Great Fire of London offers curriculum-linked content for KS1. The Museum of London – Great Fire 1666 provides primary sources, maps, and interactive features. Teachers often use timeline sorting games, cause-and-effect matching, map challenges, and simple true-or-false quizzes to reinforce learning.

Songs and rhymes

Many primary teachers use songs and rhymes to help children remember key facts: the date (2 September 1666), the starting place (Pudding Lane), the baker (Thomas Farriner), and the deadly combination of wooden houses and strong wind.

Great Fire of London: Timeline of Events

1. 2 September 1666 (midnight) — Fire starts at the bakery on Pudding Lane.
2. 2 September 1666 (morning) — Lord Mayor Sir Thomas Bludworth dismisses the fire as too small to worry about.
3. 3 September 1666 — The fire reaches Thames Street, where warehouses full of flammable goods fuel the flames. The blaze spreads rapidly.
4. 4 September 1666 — St Paul’s Cathedral catches fire and its roof collapses. Much of the medieval City is now alight.
5. 5 September 1666 — The wind drops at Star Tavern on Pye Corner. The fire dies down and is finally brought under control.

For a more detailed breakdown of each day, see The Great Fire of London timeline explained.

What Do We Know and What Remains Uncertain?

Historians agree on the broad outlines of the fire, but some details remain disputed or unclear.

The London Fire Brigade History describes the fire as having “gutted the medieval City of London”, a phrase that captures both the scale of destruction and the historical significance of what was lost.

Why Does the Great Fire of London Still Matter?

The Great Fire was a turning point in London’s urban development. The building regulations introduced after the fire — requiring brick and stone construction and wider streets — set standards that shaped the city for centuries. The disaster also spurred the development of organised firefighting, and the Monument built to commemorate the event stands as one of London’s most recognisable landmarks.

The University of Oxford historical analysis notes that the fire marked a shift from a medieval wooden city to a modern brick one. It is a case study in how cities recover from catastrophe and how disasters can drive positive change.

Eyewitness Accounts and Historical Sources

Much of what we know about the Great Fire comes from contemporary diaries and records. The most famous account is that of Samuel Pepys, who wrote detailed entries in his diary during the fire.

“…a most horrid malicious bloody flame”

Samuel Pepys’ diary, 2 September 1666

Pepys’ observations, along with official records from the London Fire Brigade and other sources, provide a vivid picture of the fire’s progress and the city’s response. The The Monument to the Great Fire of London was built between 1671 and 1677 to commemorate the event and remains a key historical site for visitors.

The Lasting Legacy of the Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London destroyed much of the medieval city but also cleared the way for a safer, more modern capital. The rebuilding that followed created a London of brick and stone, with wider streets and better fire safety. The disaster remains a powerful story of loss, survival, and renewal, and it continues to be taught to children as one of the defining events in English history.

Frequently Asked Questions