A historical depiction of the Great Fire of London. Wikimedia Commons.
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In 1666, a large fire began in London. It started in a bakery on Pudding Lane. Many houses were made of wood, and the streets were narrow. Strong wind helped the flames move quickly. The fire burned for several days and destroyed thousands of buildings, including old St Paul’s Cathedral. Surprisingly, official records listed only a small number of deaths, although the true number is uncertain. After the disaster, parts of London were rebuilt with more brick and stone. The fire changed the appearance of the city.
