London burned to the ground Sunday night while thousands of locals and travelers looked on applauded the spectacle. It’s safe to say that wasn’t the reaction the last time this happened.
To commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, the city commissioned the building of a 400-foot-long model of 17th century London from arts event organizer Artichoke and American artist David Best. It was set on a barge in the middle of the Thames near St. Paul’s Cathedral and set ablaze on the very date the original fire consumed began in 1666.
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According to a mix of history and legend, the Great Fire of London started in Thomas Farriner’s bakery in Pudding Lane. It would burn for four days, burn more than 13,000 homes and displaced 70,000 people.
The London Burning commemoration gave witnesses a chance to comprehend how massive the full scale must have been for 17th century Londoners. You can see some images for yourself below.
Photos by John Scott Lewinski
London Burning
To commemorate the 350 year remembrance of the Great Fire of London in 1666, "London Burning" set ablaze a 400-foot model of the ancient city.
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London Burning
The 400-foot model of London floated on the Thames in the shadow of St. Paul's Cathedral.
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London Burning
The London Fire Brigade monitored the Great Fire commemoration to make sure no one was injured.
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London Burning
The London Burning fire began with a tiny incendiary charge in the model's center.
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London Burning
Strong winds pushed the flames west on the model, burning that end faster than the east.
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London Burning
The London Eye turns in the background of the model fire.
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London Burning
While the edges of the London Burning model caught fire, the center raged.
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London Burning
A shower of hot ashes rained down on the River Thames during London Burning.
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London Burning
At full burn, the flames of London Burning reached 50 feet into the air.
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During the late stages of London Burning, somehow a small cross remained standing where a model of St. Paul's Cathedral fell.
