1666 AD - Great Fire of London London Gossip (Sunday 2nd Sept)

Fire started in baker's shop in Pudding Lane, near London Bridge. High wooden houses, almost meeting across narrow streets. Very dry summer with almost now rain for months. Wells running dry and the River Thames flowing very low - so pumping water was difficult.

Fire spread rapidly, fanned by easterly wind (blowing towards west). Warehouses holding tallow, oil, spirits, coal, hay and timber were located near Pudding Lane and when they caught the first spread along the waterfront and up the slope towards the centre of the City. Thatched roofs were easily set alight by flying sparks and in some places the fire raced across the house tops faster than a man could walk in the streets beneath.

People trying to escape with their goods blocked the streets so that those trying to fight the fire had little chance of success.

The Fire lasted for 3 days and destroyed about 13,000 houses and 87 of the 109 churches in the City alone. Magnificent ancient buildings were burnt to the ground along with ordinary dwellings. The fire fighters only gained control when they started pulling down buildings to create a fire-break and at the same time the strong wind calmed and ceased fanning the flames so vigorously.

Fire was always a problem in every town and village until quite recent times. With wooden buildings and thatched roofs the open flames of cooking fires and candles meant that it took only a small accident to set fire spreading which the primitive bucket and pump fire brigades found almost impossible to subdue.

Birmingham must had suffered like all other towns from occasional outbreaks of fire but did not (as far as we know) have any which caused widespread damage in the town.

1642 Dispute over upkeep of Deritend Bridge. Now county's responsibility, but not accepted. Birmingham on side of Parliament in dispute with Charles I

1643 Prince Rupert's march through town opposed

1651 Deritend Bridge 'utterly demolished' through neglect. Ancient ford use except 'after much rain or high water'.

1652 Bridge restored at county's expense - but not to be used when the ford was useable.

1665 Great Plague

1666 Great Fire of London

1680s Growth of Nonconformity in Birmingham. Despite setbacks in first half of century, industry and population grew apace - latter to 15,000. 200 forges, half in Digbeth, Edgbaston Street and Deritend. Few new streets yet - old ones fully built up.

1690 St. Martin's Church 'restored'.