The Great Fire of London: When Someone Forgot to Turn Off the Oven (Probably)
Ah, the Great Fire of London. A fiery episode in history that left a third of the city in ashes, displaced about 100,000 Londoners (that's a lot of displaced crumpets!), and probably caused a major uptick in the sales of fire extinguishers... if they had those back then. But how did this whole inferno get started? Buckle up, because it all boils down to a baker with a forgetful streak.
The Not-So-Great Bakery Incident
The year is 1666. London is bustling, full of narrow streets and timber-framed buildings that look like they came straight out of a fairy tale (except, you know, without the fire-breathing dragons... hopefully). Enter Thomas Farriner, the king's baker. Now, this guy was supposed to be top-notch with bread, but apparently, his skills weren't quite up to par when it came to fire safety.
The Spark That Started It All
According to all accounts, the fire began in the wee hours of September 2nd. Some say it was a rogue ember from Farriner's oven that decided to go on an impromptu sightseeing trip around the bakery. Others claim it might have been a stray candle or some other fiery culprit. Whatever the cause, a spark ignited something flammable (because, bakeries!), and before you could say "dough disaster," Farriner's bakery was a roaring inferno.
From Whoops to Whoah Nelly: The Fire Spreads
Now, a small fire in a bakery might not seem like the end of the world, but remember what London was built of back then? Timber. Lots and lots of timber. Think of it as kindling city waiting for a spark. Add to that a strong east wind (thanks, Mother Nature!), and you have a recipe for a full-blown disaster. The fire raged through the night, devouring buildings like a hungry dragon with a serious case of the munchies.
The Great Escape (or Lack Thereof)
Unfortunately, firefighting techniques in 1666 weren't exactly what you'd call "cutting edge." People mostly relied on forming bucket brigades and hoping for the best. The fire spread faster than a rumor about a pasty sale, and by the time folks realized the seriousness of the situation, escaping the flames became a priority.
The End (Sort Of): The Fire Finally Fizzles Out
The Great Fire of London burned for a glorious (not really) four days. Finally, after some rather drastic measures (like blowing up buildings to create firebreaks - because apparently they hadn't invented fire trucks yet), the fiery beast was subdued. London, however, was left scarred.
So, How Did the Great Fire of London Actually Start?
The official answer? We'll never know for sure. But all signs point to a baker, an oven, and a major lack of caution. So next time you're baking bread, remember the Great Fire, and for goodness sake, keep an eye on those flames!
FAQs: How to Avoid Your Own Great Fire
- How to Channel Your Inner Firefighter (Without Starting a Fire): Invest in a fire extinguisher (they're way more convenient than buckets these days).
- How to Avoid Spontaneous Oven Combustion: Keep your oven clean and free of flammable materials.
- How to Befriend Smoke Detectors: Install them in your home and test them regularly.
- How to Have a Healthy Relationship with Candles: Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- How to Be Prepared for Anything (Especially Fire): Have a fire escape plan in place and practice it with your family.
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