Great Fire Stopped by Gunpowder

London in 1666 was a city ripe for disaster, with its tightly packed timber-framed houses, many coated in flammable pitch and tar, and streets so narrow that upper stories often touched across the lanes. Following a long, dry summer, these conditions created a tinderbox. When a fire ignited in a baker's shop on Pudding Lane, strong easterly winds quickly fanned the flames, transforming a small blaze into a raging inferno that consumed hundreds of homes within hours. Initial attempts to combat the fire were tragically ineffective; traditional methods like bucket brigades and fire hooks, used to pull down buildings and create gaps, were simply too slow against the rapidly advancing firestorm.

As the conflagration escalated, engulfing vast swathes of the city and threatening vital structures like the Tower of London, a more drastic measure became imperative. The concept of a firebreak (Review), a cleared space devoid of combustible material, was understood, but achieving this quickly on a grand scale required a powerful solution. King Charles II eventually authorized the use of gunpowder to demolish buildings directly in the fire's path.

This strategic, albeit destructive, tactic created wider, more effective barriers than manual demolition could achieve. The Duke of York, the King's brother, played a key role in organizing these efforts, particularly by the Tower of London garrison, which used its own gunpowder stores. The explosions cleared broad swaths of land, starving the fire of fuel and preventing its further advance. Coupled with a crucial drop in the strong easterly winds, these man-made firebreaks finally broke the destructive momentum of the Great (Review) Fire, bringing it under control after four devastating days.