The Great Fire of London is one of the most catastrophic events in the history of the city. This devastating fire broke out on September 2nd, 1666 and lasted for four days, destroying nearly 80% of the city.
The fire caused severe damage to the infrastructure, leaving thousands of people homeless and resulting in a loss of life. But who was to blame for this catastrophic event?
Background
Before we dive into the causes and potential culprits behind the Great Fire, it is essential to understand the backdrop against which it occurred. London was a densely populated city with narrow streets lined with wooden buildings that were prone to catching fire. Additionally, there had been a prolonged drought in the summer of 1666, which had left the city vulnerable to fires.
The Causes
There is no single cause for the Great Fire of London. Several factors contributed to this disaster.
Firstly, it is believed that a small fire started at Thomas Farriner’s bakery on Pudding Lane in London. The bakery was situated in a densely populated area, and due to its wooden structure, it quickly caught fire.
Another contributing factor was that firefighting techniques were primitive at that time. The city did not have a centralized firefighting force, and people relied on local parish volunteers who had limited access to equipment such as water pumps.
Potential Culprits
Several individuals were blamed for starting or contributing to the Great Fire. Here are some potential culprits:
Thomas Farriner
As mentioned earlier, Thomas Farriner owned the bakery where it is believed that the fire started. Some accounts suggest that he left his oven burning overnight, which led to sparks igniting flour sacks nearby.
French Catholics
At that time, England was at war with France and had anti-Catholic sentiments. Some people believed that French Catholics started the fire to exact revenge for their losses in the war.
King Charles II
King Charles II was also blamed for the Great Fire due to his alleged negligence towards firefighting and urban planning. It is said that he allowed the construction of wooden buildings and narrow streets, which made it difficult for firefighting teams to access the affected areas.
The Verdict
While there are several potential culprits, there is no concrete evidence to determine who or what caused the Great Fire of London. It is likely that a combination of factors caused this catastrophic event, including a prolonged drought, poor firefighting techniques, and flammable building materials.
Conclusion
The Great Fire of London was a significant event that shaped the city’s history in many ways. While we may never know who or what caused this disaster, it is essential to learn from its lessons and ensure that we take necessary precautions to prevent such events from happening again. The use of non-flammable building materials, modern firefighting techniques, and proper urban planning can go a long way in preventing similar disasters from occurring in the future.