the great fire of london
The Great Fire of London broke out in 1666 (over 350 years ago), starting with a small fire in a bakery in Pudding Lane near the river Thames. Within days over 13,000 houses and businesses, and an area equal to 218 football pitches had been laid to waste.
The fire was so large the smoke could be seen in Oxford, and onlookers described how ‘with one’s face in the wind, you were almost burned with a shower of firedrops.’
Buildings at this time were mostly made from wood, crammed into narrow streets, with fireplaces burning wood and coal. This accidental fire is a famous example of how human activity has released air particle pollution into the air in the past.
This story is part of the new EarthMuseum Air We Breathe Learning Programme being launched in early 2026. Register above to receive further information in Autumn 2025.