The Great Fire of London in 1666, ignited by a small flame in a bakery on Pudding Lane, swiftly escalated into a devastating inferno that ravaged the city. Consuming over 13,000 houses and 87 churches, the fire’s destructive path seemed unstoppable.
Yet, amidst the chaos, the remarkable fact remains that only six recorded deaths occurred, a testament to the city’s successful evacuation and the absence of high casualty figures in such a catastrophic event. This historic fire prompted significant urban planning changes and the rebuilding of London, ultimately shaping the city’s architectural landscape for centuries to come.
Interesting share! Allow me to add a related piece of trivia. In Japan, the penalty for arson can be as severe as that for murder, even potentially carrying the death penalty at its maximum. This is because the penal code originates from past eras when cities were densely populated with wooden structures. Back then, setting fire to one house could result in a significant portion of the city burning down.