Online museum session for children: Great Fire of London

Summary

In this engaging video, Elena from the London Fire Brigade Museum explores the Great Fire of London, which began on September 2, 1666, due to a spark in a bakery. The fire rapidly spread, destroying over 13,000 homes and forcing many to flee. With no organized fire brigade, residents used leather buckets to combat the flames unsuccessfully. King Charles II eventually implemented fire breaks by blowing up houses. The aftermath led to the rebuilding of London with fire-resistant materials and the establishment of fire brigades, which required payment for services. Viewers are invited to create their own fire mark designs.

Takeaways

• 🔥 The Great Fire of London started on September 2, 1666, and was devastating in scale.
• 🏠 Over 13,000 houses were destroyed, leaving many people homeless.
• 🍞 The fire began in a bakery on Pudding Lane due to a spark from an improperly extinguished fire.
• 🚒 In 1666, there was no organized fire brigade, so people tried to fight the fire themselves with limited resources.
• 💧 Firefighting efforts included using leather buckets, water from the River Thames, and passing buckets of water hand to hand.
• 🏰 The fire consumed iconic structures, including St. Paul's Cathedral, and threatened the Tower of London.
• 👑 King Charles II and the Duke of York intervened, creating fire breaks by blowing up houses with gunpowder.
• 📜 Samuel Pepys documented the fire in his diary, providing valuable historical insight into the event.
• 🏗️ After the fire, London rebuilt using bricks and stone to prevent future fires.
• 🚨 The Great Fire led to the establishment of fire brigades in London, initially funded through a fire mark insurance system.

Q & A

What caused the Great Fire of London?

The Great Fire of London was caused by a small spark from an improperly extinguished fire in a bakery on Pudding Lane, owned by Thomas Farriner.

When did the Great Fire of London occur?

The Great Fire of London started on Sunday, September 2, 1666.

How many houses were destroyed in the Great Fire?

Approximately 13,000 houses were burned down during the Great Fire of London.

What materials were commonly used in houses before the fire?

Houses in 1666 were primarily made of wood with straw roofs, which made them highly flammable.

How did people attempt to extinguish the fire?

People tried to put out the fire using fire hooks, leather buckets filled with water, and passing buckets of water from person to person.

What was a fire break, and how was it created during the Great Fire?

A fire break was created by blowing up houses with gunpowder to prevent the fire from spreading further.

Who documented the events of the Great Fire of London?

Samuel Pepys documented the events of the Great Fire in his diary, which provides valuable historical insights into the disaster.

What changes were made to building materials after the fire?

After the Great Fire of London, houses were rebuilt using bricks and stones instead of wood to reduce the risk of future fires.

What system of fire protection was introduced after the Great Fire?

The first fire brigades were introduced, where homeowners had to pay for insurance to receive fire protection, indicated by a fire mark on their houses.

What was the long-term impact of the Great Fire on fire safety?

The Great Fire led to the establishment of a unified fire brigade in London, eliminating the need for individual fire marks and enhancing overall fire safety.