Great Fire of London. Reproduction of an illustration of a scene from the Great Fire of London of 1666. This fire destroyed most of the medieval centre, burning over 13,000 homes, 87 churches and Old St Paul's Cathedral. It started on 2 September 1666 and lasted for four days. At left is Ludgate, the westernmost gate in London Wall. At centre are the ruins of the adjoining prison and jail. In the background, the flames have reached Old Bow Church (left) and Old St Paul's Cathedral (right). This hand-coloured etching and aquatint of a painting by Dutch artist Jan Griffier is from 'The Great Fire of London in the Year 1666' (1792).