The Great Fire of London in 1666

The Great Fire of London in 1666 destroyed property more than life, only nine deaths were reported. In contrast the value of property and belongings lost was in the region of 10 million pounds. Of the 448 acres within the city, 373 had been burnt, along with 63 acres of western suburbs. A great rebuilding programme was soon underway, and although grandiose plans such as wide boulevards and grand piazzas were not implemented, the standards of new buildings were subject to much more regulation, and more common use of bricks and stone, which made most buildings constructed far more resistant to fire. The reconstruction programme was carried out with clarity and good sense, and provided a model which was followed by many other English towns when they experienced disastrous fires in the decades ahead.

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