<P> The death toll is unknown but was traditionally thought to have been small, as only six verified deaths were recorded . This reasoning has recently been challenged on the grounds that the deaths of poor and middle - class people were not recorded; moreover, the heat of the fire may have cremated many victims, leaving no recognisable remains . A melted piece of pottery on display at the Museum of London found by archaeologists in Pudding Lane, where the fire started, shows that the temperature reached 1,250 ° C (2,280 ° F; 1,520 K). </P> <P> The Great Fire started at the bakery (or baker's house) of Thomas Farriner (or Farynor) on Pudding Lane shortly after midnight on Sunday, 2 September and spread rapidly west across the City of London . The major firefighting technique of the time was to create firebreaks by means of demolition; this, however, was critically delayed owing to the indecisiveness of Lord Mayor of London Sir Thomas Bloodworth . By the time that large - scale demolitions were ordered on Sunday night, the wind had already fanned the bakery fire into a firestorm that defeated such measures . The fire pushed north on Monday into the heart of the City . </P> <P> Order in the streets broke down as rumours arose of suspicious foreigners setting fires . The fears of the homeless focused on the French and Dutch, England's enemies in the ongoing Second Anglo - Dutch War; these substantial immigrant groups became victims of lynchings and street violence . On Tuesday, the fire spread over most of the City, destroying St Paul's Cathedral and leaping the River Fleet to threaten King Charles II's court at Whitehall, while coordinated firefighting efforts were simultaneously mobilising . The battle to quench the fire is considered to have been won by two factors: the strong east winds died down, and the Tower of London garrison used gunpowder to create effective firebreaks to halt further spread eastward . </P> <P> The social and economic problems created by the disaster were overwhelming . Evacuation from London and resettlement elsewhere were strongly encouraged by Charles II, who feared a London rebellion amongst the dispossessed refugees . Despite numerous radical proposals, London was reconstructed on essentially the same street plan used before the fire . </P>

Who was the king during the great fire of london