The Great Fire of London began in the early hours of 2 September 1666 at a bakery on Pudding Lane. Driven by strong easterly winds and a long, hot summer that had left the timber-framed buildings of the city tinder-dry, the flames spread rapidly across the densely packed medieval streets. Over the course of four days, the conflagration consumed the heart of the capital, overwhelming local efforts to contain it and creating a firestorm that proved difficult to halt.

The destruction caused by the fire was immense, leaving a vast portion of the city in ruins. The disaster claimed thousands of homes and displaced a significant percentage of the population, while also destroying iconic landmarks, including St Paul's Cathedral and numerous parish churches. The sheer scale of the devastation forced a complete rethink of urban planning and construction standards within the capital.

In the aftermath, the fire served as a catalyst for large-scale rebuilding and modernisation. The reconstruction process introduced new regulations designed to prevent future catastrophes, most notably the requirement for buildings to be constructed from brick or stone rather than wood. This shift in architectural practice fundamentally altered the character of London, replacing the cramped medieval layout with wider streets and more resilient structures.

• The fire started at a bakery on Pudding Lane.
• It raged for four days, destroying much of the City of London.
• St Paul's Cathedral was among the many major buildings lost.
• Rebuilding efforts introduced stricter fire safety regulations.
• The disaster led to the transition from timber to brick and stone architecture.

While the event remains one of the most devastating disasters in the history of the city, it ultimately reshaped London into a more organised and durable metropolis. The legacy of the Great Fire is seen in the city's subsequent development, marking a definitive turning point during the era of Stuart Britain.