The Great Fire of London: A Toast...with Reservations (Because Most Things Burned Down)
The Great Fire of London. Sounds dramatic, right? Like a blockbuster disaster flick. And well, it kinda was. Imagine a giant, grumpy toaster set to "nuclear" rampaging through your city. That's basically what 1666 London had to deal with. But hey, at least it wasn't dragons...baby steps, right?
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| How Many Lives Were Lost In The Great Fire Of London |
So, How Many Folks Became Barbequed?
Officially? Only six. That's like, a family barbeque gone wrong, not a city-wide inferno. Seems a bit fishy, doesn't it? Here's the thing: record-keeping in the 17th century wasn't exactly Instagram-worthy. Plus, if you were dangling precariously over a river of flames, filling out paperwork probably wasn't high on your to-do list. Historians reckon the actual number is likely in the hundreds. Still not a fun way to go, but hey, at least you weren't accidentally fingered as a fire-starting foreigner (looking at you, French pastries).
Side note: Burning wasn't the only danger. The fire raged for five whole days, leaving many homeless and exposed to the elements. Not exactly a recipe for a relaxing staycation.
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The Great Fire of London: Fun Facts (Because Apparently Everything Needs Fun Facts)
- The fire started at a bakery. Seems fitting, right? Like a culinary self-immolation.
- The hero of the day? Not a fireman (those didn't exist yet), but King Charles II, who finally got off his royal backside and told everyone to blow things up to create firebreaks. It worked, eventually. Because apparently the answer to everything is explosions.
- The fire did have a silver lining (or maybe a not-so-silver lining, depending on your perspective). It wiped out the Great Plague of London, which had been merrily bouncing around the city for a couple of years. So, fire vs. bubonic plague? Take your pick!
How To: Survive a Great Fire (Because Hopefully We Won't Need This, But Hey, Be Prepared)
- Don't be a baker. Seriously, consider a different profession. Welding might be safer.
- Have an escape plan. Because wings don't come standard on most humans.
- Listen to the King (assuming he actually gives good advice this time). Especially if it involves explosions.
- Invest in a good pair of running shoes. Because when a giant fire is chasing you, speed is key.
- Maybe avoid living in giant fire hazards made mostly of wood. Just a suggestion.
There you have it! The Great Fire of London: a fiery disaster with a surprisingly low official body count (wink wink). Hopefully, this little history lesson was more entertaining than terrifying. But hey, if it does inspire you to buy a fire extinguisher, well, that's a win in our book.
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