On the night of September 2, 1666, a small fire broke out in a bakery on Pudding Lane in London. Little did anyone know that this seemingly innocuous event would go on to become one of the most catastrophic incidents in the city’s history – the Great Fire of London.
The fire quickly spread throughout the city, fueled by strong winds and dry weather. It consumed everything in its path, including homes, churches, and even prisons. By the time it was finally put out four days later, an estimated 13,000 homes had been destroyed and nearly 100,000 people left homeless.
One of the most iconic structures destroyed during the Great Fire was London Bridge. The bridge had stood for over 600 years as a symbol of London’s power and prosperity. It was a vital link between northern and southern England and had played a key role in trade and commerce for centuries.
So how did London Bridge burn down? The answer lies not just in the fire itself but also in the design of the bridge. At the time of the Great Fire, London Bridge was made up of multiple structures – houses built atop stone arches spanning across the River Thames.
These houses were densely packed together and made from highly flammable materials like wood and thatch. This meant that when the fire reached London Bridge, it quickly spread from house to house along its length.
Despite efforts to contain the fire by demolishing buildings on either side of the bridge, it continued to rage on. The narrow passageway created by these buildings made it difficult for firefighters to access areas affected by flames.
To make matters worse, water supplies were running low due to damage caused by previous fires in London as well as general neglect of water infrastructure. This meant that firefighters were forced to rely on backbreaking manual labor to transport water from nearby sources like wells and ponds.
Ultimately, all efforts to save London Bridge proved futile. The flames consumed the entire wooden structure, leaving only the stone arches standing. In the aftermath of the Great Fire, plans were made to rebuild London Bridge in a more modern and fire-resistant design.
Today, London Bridge stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of London and its ability to rise from the ashes of tragedy.